You won't want the Rega Planet then, it's famously laid back (though I love my Planet 2000 for just this reason). Music Hall CD25 would be a great fit, but like Kotta says, customer service is after the sale can also be important. Incidentally, that was why I sold my Music Hall in the first place (I experienced poor customer service.) You may also like the NAD very much - I've been impressed with their lively sound. See if you can arrange to listen to as many as you can from your list, as a start.
Neither laid-back nor refined.
I'm looking for a used CD player to pair with a Jolida JS-1501RC Hybrid integrated amp. I like the midrange and bass of the hybrid, and the fact that the tube character isn't overpowering. Now, in my price range used are the following:
Music Hall CD 25
Arcam cd 62
Rotel RCD-971
Rega Planet (Original)
NAD c541i or c521i.
I do not want a laid back player--combined with a liquid tube sound, I don't think I'd be happy. I like a little drive and excitement out of my CDs. Moreover, I listen to lots of "substandard" recordings: lo-fi indie rock, mono reissues of Jazz and Blues as well as early Jamaican music. I'd like something a little bit forgiving of these kinds of things. Can anyone comment on this?