CD upgrade opinions?

Lyric on the Upper East Side has Rega and I think Esoteric. Stereo Exchange downtown has Ayre. Not sure on Meridian or Resolution. Will be tough to get them all in the same room on the same equipment.

I have repalced 2-3 times more expensive CD players with the Raysonic 168. It has variable balanced tube outs which is so good, I no use my preamp

This is a very simple decision. Go for a Reference Audio
Mods E-Sound Signature edition. For $2,995 you get enough
mods for the E-Sound player, to beat anything stock under $10,000. I have the $5,995 version, which is the best sounding CD player, that I have heard, at any price.

I feed mine directly into a power amp, with a passive volume
control built in. It's an Art Audio Carissa Signature 845
based amp. It looks gorgeous, and sounds even better, than it
looks.

RAM, is owned by Kyle, usually a pleasant enough guy.

You kind of have to beg a little, flattery a must, because
Kyle is a multi-millionaire, who really doesn't need any of us. Mention Cary and he will charge you between 10 and 15%
more!

I agree with Tweek1 only went with the fully modded 128.Beautiful sound top to bottom.

Best of luck,Bob