Best cd player for around $3500?

i would recommend at least checking out the marantz sa11s1
i've had mine for about a year and have been very happy with it. new ones can be found under $3000 easily, leaving some money for cables if you wish
i just bought an ayre c5xe but i don't think even used you can reastically go under $4500 for it.
raghu

You might want to check out the Ayre C-5xe universal player. Used it "might" go for around $3,500, (although I would guess it would probably go for around $4k as it is still pretty new), but even if it doesn't get down to $3,500, you might want to stretch your budget a bit to get it. It has been getting great reviews both in the mainstream press/websites as well as the boards here and on Audio Asylum.

Check out the shootout results down here on Audiogon a couple of months ago.

Shootout results

(I have the Resolution Audio Opus 21, which sells for $3,500 new, which I can highly recommend as well. But it does not play SACDs.)

A second hand Naim CDX2.....no doubt about it

I've seen Cary 306s go for around that.

Also look at the Linn Ikemi, I know of a Demo unit for around 2800.00 good disccount 4000.00 new.

Suggest that you consider an used Esoteric DV50S or a used Exemplar modified Denon 5910. They represent very different but equally valid approaches and each is excellent in its own right. The DV50S is extremely well built.