I HAVE STILL GOT A SONY CDPX7ESD, AND I HAVE UPGRADED THE REST OF MY SYSTEM OVER THE YEARS, BUT HAVE NOT FOUND A CD PLAYER THT WOULD HOLD A CANDLE TO THE OLD SONY, ESPECIALLY UNDER $3000 (AUS). IT IS BUILT BEAUTIFULLY, HAS MEGA QUICK TRACK SELECTION, SMOOTH TRAY (THAT IS METAL, NOT PLASTIC). I DOUBT ANYONE IS BUILDING THEM THIS GOOD THESE DAYS, COST CUTTING WASN'T SUCH AN ISSUE BACK THEN. (IT'S RRP WAS $2799 AUS). IT HAS BALANCED XLR OUTPUTS TOO, PLUS A S/N RATIO OF 115dB. OF ALL MY HIGH END COMPONENTS, INCLUDING B&W 604 SPEAKERS, IF I HAD TO KEEP JUST ONE, THE CDP-X7ESD WOULD BE IT! I WOULD MAYBE RECOMMEND A DAC UPGRADE OR A TRANSFORMER(S) UPGRADE, BUT HANG ON TO IT, JUST LOOK AT IT, IT'S A BEAUTIFUL MASTERPIECE!
