Which warm sounding cd player for under $400?

A Rega Planet 2000 used will fill the bill, IMHO. I had one for awhile. The *only* problem I had with it was that the soundstage wasn't big enough for huge symphonic ensembles. Makes a great transport too.

I've been extremely happy with my NAD C-541i for more than six months now (love that HDCD). That's a long time as on line buying makes it so easy to switch. I also owned an Audio Refinement CD Complete Alpha for a few months but sold it recently as I actually preferred the NAD. Good luck.

Thanks for the responses. Out of the three described above, I'm lean toward the NAD. Although I read great things about the Rotel, I really like the NAD sound.

I have another question, would the C541i match well with the Adcom GTP-400? How about a Rotel?

Thanks Alfredo

I also liked the Music Hall the best of those mentioned here. Warm and musical. New it's $500 I think. I've listened to most of these, but unfortunately none in the same system. The Music Hall was paired with a Red Rose system, the others with less expensive systems.

I originally didn't like the NAD when paired with a NAD integrated, I found it mushy and indistinct. I liked it better paired with a brighter integrated (Cambridge Audio).

Been awhile since I listened to the Rotel and the Rega. I found the Rotel uninvolving (connected to Rotel gear) and eliminated the Rega because I didn't want top-load.

Hope that helps.

- Eric

Thanks Eric. I just recently looked at your system and saw that you have a Yamaha CDX-410u. I have a CDX-910u and boy did it sound awful. Although it image better, everything else was harsh and thin to me so I went back to the NAD.