Comments on Cary 303 CD Player


I am looking for current comments on the Cary 303 CD Player. My budget is between 3,000 to 3,500. A used Meridian 508.24 is another option I am considering. I own the Bow Wazoo integrated amplifier and Sonus Faber Grand Piano Speakers. Thanks
hgeifman
My Cary 303/100 cd player is one component that I virtually NEVER think about changing. It just sounds damn good and has plenty of detail too, for my taste. As I have been upgrading various components in my system (new preamp, better cables,...) I find that the Cary continues to sound better as well. I am just now discovering how refined and nuanced the overall sound it (having just upgraded to CJ 17LS preamp and borrowed some Valhalla speaker cables). This is in contrast to other cd players I've owned where system improvements inevitably revealed weaknesses in the cd playback.
I purchased the 303/200 about a month ago. The basic nature of the player has not changed since I opened the box. It has, however, matured with use. I would characterize its sound as emotionally involving with an excessively low fatigue factor. I would also describe the player as very accurate without being in your face about it. I drove myself nuts trying to compare CDP's both in terms of sound and value before I purchased this player. There could be other players out there that I would be willing to spend another $$$ on for some level of incremental improvement. I'll never know. I have reached the end of my rainbow. Good luck in you search.
Thanks for your excellent and useful comments. I plan to listen to the Cary 303 CD Player next week. cheers..