I have the 840C here now and have had the Droplet, and Ayre in the past. I did not like the droplet much at all. but would still take it over the 840. IMO the Ayre is the best of these three. I also owned the M5 for several months, I would rank it and the 840 in the same league, but different sounding. The M5 being a little less resolving but more powerful and warmer sounding.
In your price range I would consider either a used Modwright Denon 3910 or Exemplar denon 2900, or 3910. Both these players do everything the others do best and then some. No balanced outputs on them though.
In your price range I would consider either a used Modwright Denon 3910 or Exemplar denon 2900, or 3910. Both these players do everything the others do best and then some. No balanced outputs on them though.