Need Suggestions on CD Player under 1k

Meridian 506.24

Craig:

I have the Music Hall and I am very happy with it. It was an upgrade from a SONY XA1ES player. I find that it picks up details that I did not hear before and is pretty musical sounding. I find that it is not fussy with the electronics that it is paired with. It took about 50 hours or so to burn in. As another option, J&R Music (www.jandr.com) has the SONY 555 SACD ES changer (list $1700) for $600.

I think you'd be better off spening the $1000 on a used $2000-$3000 player...you should be able to find one that would sound noticeably better than the above choices.

The Meridian 506.24 is a 2k player that I bought for 1k. It can now be had for even less. You'd be hard pressed to find a more musical & dependable player than a Meridian for under 1k. Phild, what are your picks?

I second the used route. You might try and find a used Audio Note CD2 for example.

Hi Driver, I'm not too familair with many CDPs in that price range, so I can't speak from experience. I've heard great things about so many, and I'm pretty sure that a used Meridian, Audio Note, Cary, Resolution Audio, Muse, Theta, Arcam, etc. that originally cost thousands will sound better than a $400 Cambridge or Music Hall...even if they are a few years older. I would think that the Rega Planet and Tjoeb (with NOS tubes) should also sound better than the $400-$500 players, but I'm sure all four of Craigt's picks are great players in their price range. One things certain...they'll all sound a little different, and he'll likely prefer one over the others.

another option which could come in under 1k is to pick up a used Tjoeb and have Dan Wright modify it-
Adam

Adam.....What does Dan Wright do to the Tjoeb?

Thanks to all who have responded....I will try some those recommendations....

Craig