best used inexpensive cd only player

I agree about the Music Halls, which are rebadged or BTO Shanlings. So add Shanling to your list. At their different price points their models were the ones to beat for years. I've owned three.

Another one to look for is the Hong Kong-based JAS Audio player. The company is better known for speakers and amps but they make one tubed CD player. I own one of these.

An alternative approach is what Arni suggests. A used Oppo would cost around a C-note and that leaves some over for a DAC (maybe a Valab) and a cable. A cable 1.5m in length, of course. Joe Mazzaglia makes a good inexpensive one.

Enjoy your new system!

I would suggest u buy the cheapest oppo cd player. It wont cost u much new or used and its highly rated by the magazines. You could even get one that plays blue ray and DVD s as well for not a lot of money. I hope this helps u. Shay

Have to disagree with the tqo preceding posts. I've owned the Music Hall cdp and one of the clones and was not impressed at all.
As for the Oppo, if you want an inexpensive universal player it may be ok. But as a cdo it is just plain ordinary.
I'd look at the Rotel or NAD 542 suggested above.
Isn't this hobby funny? We can all own the same piece and come away with totally different views.
Real lesson, try whatever and see if it suits your taste.

About a year ago, I bought an MHZS CD33F on ebay for $280.00. I don't think you could buy one now for under $400.00 (G version) It was very good. I went on line and found maybe 20 or 25 mods that could be done. They were straight forward most even had fairly good directions posted. I did 9 parts switch outs that anyone with a soldering iron could do for around $60.00 in parts.
It is shockingly good. If you are competent at all with a soldering iron, I encourage you to at least look into this piece. It is far better than its price paid in its stock form. It now competes at a very high level. The link below is where is started on finding its mods. Its worth checking out. If you go this way, email, I even have a mod kit put together that I would send your way for less than I have in it. Tim

Sorry link.....

http://rockgrotto.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=c&action=print&thread=1150