Were to go after a Rega Planet 2000?

I would say as a blanket that that's the case, but in my experience, some of the most disappointing stuff as been the really expensive. Case in point, a few years back i auditioned a Krell player/preamp that was about 9-12k, I forget. But it was very underwealming for the price. Revox was another brand that I thought was going to be great, but in the end, same let down.The old Proceed had a hard sound to it. I do like the wadia stuff, the NAD silver player and meridian player. I have not listened to a whole lot of other stuff. But for me, since I have way to many hobbies, I try and get the bast bang for the buck, not something that may be incrementaly better, but priced way out there. The only problem with the 502 is that the display likes to burn out it's bulb.

I have had so many CD & SACD players I can't remember them all. Many of which have been mentioned here. I bought the Quad 99 CD-P last summer to go with my all Quad system. This is far and away the best CD player I have owned, and a bargain to boot. The many rave reviews it has garnered are for once justified!

$1500 new, about a grand used, and worth every penny!

Creek! This is a link to my in home comparison of the Creek CD50, Cary 308, Rega Planet 2000, Roksan Kandy MkIII, Cambridge Azur 640c, and Arcam 73t.

http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=digital&n=85793

I thought that the Rega was a wonderful piece but that it just didn't 'fit' in my system tonally. That being said the Creek had atleast as much PRAT, if not more, but I found it to be all around better in my system.

Another, and lesser known option, is an Italian brand called Bluenote. http://www.bluenote.it I have heard the Stibbert and it is the most magical organic PRATy CD player I have ever encountered. It has a 'baby' brother called the Koala which launched late last year. It is supposed to maintain most of the characteristics of its bigger brother, but be around $2k CDN.

It also may be worth looking into the Scott Nixon DACs as well, not all of them are Tube based and what little I've been able to dig up on his Sarudac+ sounds like a winner.

Feel free to e-mail me with any questions,

Nathan Klassen

Quad somehow always come up with excellent CD Players, I own the CD67 and it sounds more like analogue than digital.

Was not impressed with Wadia in terms of price/performance ratio. Yet Marantz players I always thought were true value for money in any price bracket.

Quad 99 CDP should be on the top of your list used or new.

Hi Nick,

I'm curious what you have decided on... I'm pretty much in the same boat... Please advise.