Best redbook cd-only player ?

I was thinking the Audio Note 5th element but that exceeds your budget by about $240,000.00. I would agree to the Naim 555. I have listened to this in Naim and non Naim set ups and it was very nice.

I too only do redbook and to my ears the Meridian 808.3 is perfect, not bright, not dull, never fatiguing, and makes most harsh sounding discs sound good.

John - The Audio Research Ref CD8 is very, very good for its price point. And now that the CD9 is out, used/demo CD8's should be available at a significant savings. And even though your budget is generous, you might want to give the new tubed Line Magnetic CDP a listen/try. Astonishingly good, and only $1500.

The Audio Research Reference CD9 is the most neutral and transparent player made today. It's advantages, however, can only be realized with other reference Audio Research components and the best wiring and isolation. I cannot afford such a system now, but I don't mind waiting and let the next best thing take it's place as it surely will. There are lots of amazingly good products on the market, but for true system synergy there can only be one that is the best. Audio Research is not the best for the money. It is, however, the standard by which every other manufacturer is measured, and that has been true since the inception of High Fidelity.

Ancient Audio makes three CDPs in different price ranges. I have the Lektor Prime that I like a lot.