What's best CD player one piece price no object

TBG-Are you using a pre-amp with your Lindemann? It is my understanding that the Lindemann has variable analog outputs.

Glreno

No , the Lindemann D680 has no variable outputs.

Jason

The comments thus far are very useful. I too would argue that there can be no 'best' cd player, it is purely a matter of your tastes and how it fits in your system. If you are spending a large amount of money I would make sure you can audition in your system to see what suits you best. Unfortunately this can be very hard in some areas. With all due respect to spectral, who made the first great cd player, there is always something else off on the horizon. Find the one that satisfies you and stick with it

Glreno, Vsfang is right; the Lindemann is fixed output. I play vinyl also so I would want to have a selector switch at least.

At one level I would agree as different people look for different aspects of sound reproduction and the same piece of equipment can sound different with different associated equipment. But long before the review mags. can cast their spell on new equipment, you do get vibes that it is exceptional or not. Sometimes, however, it is too expensive to have much impact, such as the Linn CD12. I would entirely agree on finding what you like rather than following the herd.