Find a top of the line old Sony. I purchased the D500se for a bedroom system and while it sounds ok especially driving sennheiser phones on the ASL headphone amp it doesn't have the refinement of a top player played on big full range system. However it is improving with more hours. Approximate hours are approaching 100.
Best Cd player for under 500
At this point the 2 that i have been looking at are (used) the linn mimik and rega planet. From all the various sources available it seems like the rega has the edge but i would appreciate any additional comments. Speakers are linn tukans and amp is nearly vintage onkyo integrated from early 1980s