Best Redbook player with XLR outs

My understanding is that Ayre is offering this upgrade for a nominal fee ($500). I was informed the "e" stands for evolutionary, and should improve the overall sonics of their products.

I had the BAT VKD5SE player for quite a while. It's easy to live with and sounds good.

Consider!

Best,

Paul :-)

I'll second Beemer. I'm currently using a BAT VK-D5SE with my VK-31SE preamp and Tara Labs cables, and I'm very happy with it. It isn't the most transparent or revealing cd player I've ever heard, but ALWAYS musical. I'm an analog fan first, but I do listen to cd's. The VK-D5SE is one of the very few players that don't have me grinding my teeth together after an hour or so of listening. Not only does it have balanced outputs, but it's fully balanced inside as well, just like all BAT products. Should be able to get one for well under $4K used.

Cheers,
John

I'll second Hatfield's rec. of the Meridian 588.

I've had one in a Rowland/Wilson Benesch system for several months now and have been very pleased. (The interconnects between the Meridian and the Rowland Concentra are balanced Kimber Select 1130s.)

Outstanding with all sorts of music- very natural sounding on good recordings- balanced in the sense that it doesn't add or subtract from the recording. (Look out, though- it can be extremely revealing of poorly recorded/engineered CDs!)

Instrumental timbres sound both full and accurate across the frequency range. As much detail (both for individual instruments as well as larger ensembles) as you want is there if you listen for it, but isn't presented in an overly aggressive, analytical manner.

Outstanding image specificity and layering, also great image width, depth and height.

Ayre is offering the new "Evolution" upgrade in all of their products. It is reported to be quite an improvement to products that are excellent to begin with. It has to do with the power supply filtering, etc.
If you bought your product in the last 6 months, I understand it is a free upgrade. All of their current shipping products include the upgrade and the prices did not go up.
I'll be sending my V5x in after the first of the year.