The Sony UBP-X800M2 is a mediocre transport. The sound is thin and lacks details. The Emotiva ERC-4, as a transport - especially through optical output, blows the Sony out of the water. Not sure why the Emotiva hate from some of the posters. I had an Emotiva ERC-3 and it sounded quite good and also worked great as a transport. It finally died on me (not recognize the CD’s) after 9 years. I got the Emotiva ERC-4 as a replacement and the transport, especially via optical, is even better than the ERC-3, full of details. I used to believe that all transports are the same since “bits is bits” but apparently that is not the case. As a CD player, the ERC-4 also sounds great.
CD player suggestions...
I'm in the market for a new CD player in the $600 - $800 range. Suggestions?