New to 'hi-end,' looking for budget CDP

The CAL Icon is a good player. I used their bottom-o-the-barrel DX-1 for years before upgrading (still have it stored away actually). I think their players do a lot of things right with the sound. If money is a problem you might consider buying an "older" CD player right now that would serve you as a good transport for later. Then when you scrape up some more cash you can digital out (coax preferably) from the CD player into a high quality D/A converter. You can buy plenty of older players used where the D/A converter is obviously dated, but for a transport it is top notch. CAL is definitly a company to look at if you go that route also. Hope this helps.

Both are likely good choices for your budget. I have heard good things about the CAL Icon Mk II but haven't heard one. I bought a Cambridge D500SE last summer, a huge improvement over the mass-market CD players I have owned in the past. I have seen new or demo units on the web for $350.

I also have a Sony DVP-S7700. While S7700 doesn't sound particularly good for CD playback, I use it as a transport with an ART DI/O DAC. The DI/O can be had for $200 new and is also a good budget piece if you want to try separates.

The Cambridge D500 or D500SE are good choices. In older Cambridge equipment either the CD-4SE or the CD-6. I would still rate the CD-6 the best even though older technology, if you can fine one used. Spearitsound.com had a CD6 demo. Contact Richard Moulding. They also sell the D500SE.