Best Basic CD Player (no SACD, USB, etc.)

Where you at? I’ll give you my NAD 502 that works great. Prob comparable to the 3-500 players on the market I’m guessing. 

NAD has been known to bring out some good sounding players, but their reliability has been known to be spotty, as well.

I concur with the idea of a transport + DAC vs a stand alone CDP. The DAC inside of a CDP will eventually become outdated IMO. As long as a transport is working then it can be matted with an unlimited amount of DAC's through the years, so why pay for something you may outgrow, or not use with a CDP with built in DAC. Just doesn't make sense to me. The downside of this course of action is obsessing for ever and a day on which DAC to use. This method does provide far more flexibility in the future too, should you need it.

But to respond to cd players only, as requested, you might consider used Arcams which hasn't been mentioned, used Oppo's, and Emotiva makes a great CDP the ERC-4 but you could probably find some used ERC-3's too, Audio Lab makes great products as well for sensible prices.

Many, many years ago, I purchased a Carver sdl/410t.

Other than at times wishing for more cds at once, I have never heard any other player that would make me want to change..

SACD isn’t really necessary.. just put files on the NAS and play..  same with ripped cds.. only ever use the cd player for anything I don’t have ripped and internet is down..

But not really playing discs much any longer anyway with tidal, qobuzz and hidef up to 512dsd files available for purchase and a decent dac/streamer.

I second the recommendation for the Bryston CD-3.  Absolutely best player I have ever owned.  Yes, a bit pricey but if you love to listen to CDs don't skimp.  Streaming has eclipsed my CD playing significantly so the CD-3 gets little use nowadays but I enjoy the Bryston unit when I engage in a CD listening session.