Best CD player under 5000

Hi Leafs, I had a chance to hear a properly setup Meridian 508.24 and the new 588 (I preferred the 508.24). My experience at Alternative Audio in Dundas was far different then any other Toronto dealer so far. Equipment was properly set up with Symposium Rollerblocks, Golden Reference Cables, Blue Circle Amps and preamps and some real nice sounding Merlins. I auditoned three rooms at Altenrative Audio and the Meridian, Blue Circle, Cardas, Merlin synergy was among the best I have heard in a sub $50K systems, bettering my Sony SCD-1 on Redbook.

Now that I've said all that, here's my question: I have a chance to purchase a used Meridian 508.24 for $3K CDN ($2K US). Have you compared the Meridian to the Audio Aero you were previously recommending that I audition? Is the AA THAT much better? -- (I have trouble justifying $9K on any CD player.) Let me know what you think. And anyone else out there with 508.24 who has compared it to the EMC-1 and Audio Aero or Mephisto II, I would like to know if you'd think the older Meridian (508.24) is still competitive to the better players under $6K US.

I would add the Ayre D-1 to your list of cd players to look at. Although it is also a DVD player, several American and European highend reviewers have called it's cd performance the best they have ever heard.

Don't know where to hear it in Canada but I second the opinion that it is fabulous. Demoed a 508 and the EMC head to head in a variety of setups (all EC and Mark Levinson kits) and the EMC1 was the clear champ to my ears.
I bought it (replaced an Arcam FMJ23, great player but the EC is better) and have never wanted for another format or upgrade. Any of the older EMC's can be upgraded to the new version (I have heard from several sources that the upgrade puts it into a league of possibly worlds best cdp contender) for around $1000. A used model at under $2500 would be a great value.

My two cents

I haven't seen any reviews in the hardcopy magazines but I can tell you that there are a number of Cary owners out there that just love their Cary 303 or 306.

I just got the new Cary 306/200 ($5000 LIST but you can get them for much less). It uses 8 Burr Brown DAC chips plus the new Pacific Microsonics PMD-200 digital filter with HDCD decoding. It's an outstanding CD player with or without the 24/192KHz upsampling enabled. The 306 can also be used as an outboard DAC for other gear. I sometimes run my Adcom GCD-700 5-disc changer through it to take advantage of the Cary DAC chips.

Audition either Cary if you get a chance. You might like them.