Best CD Player under $1200

Get the Quad cdp-2, you will not regret it. It looks a bit odd but is well built and sounds fantastic.

Don't know if its the "best" but if I bought a used player under $1,000 I would side with several of the comments above and opt for the Arcam FMJ 23.

Sony cdp XA7 es or a little less overall in musical performance cd 120 linear

Try a used Sony XA7ES. It's under $1,000 and sounds better to the Arcam units to my ears. The Arcam seems to be the best of the bunch in your list.

The ARCAM units with the dsc Ring DAC are the following models (from most expensive to least expensive):
Arcam FMJ CD23
Arcam Diva CD92T
Arcam Diva CD92
Arcam Alpha 9

All the above machines are not longer current models so you would have to buy them used. I personally, would not look at the non-Ring-DAC models you've listed (CD73 or CD192).
If you do end up getting one of the Arcams, you MUST order a cd mat from music direct as well. I had previously owned an ARCAM CD92...and with the use of a good cd mat, the sound approaches that of my current Ayre C-5xe!

I've also heard good things about the Rega Apollo, but have yet to audition one.

calgarian