new cd player

Perhaps the Luxman D-03X.  I have not heard it, but it seems to be well reviewed from various sources.

If you or anybody lives near me, Plainfield, NJ, 07062 and wants to hear the xa5400es, send me a message.

thanks, hadn't considered sony.

yes the ayon is tubed, but my system isn't short of tubes......?

Not sure about ARC prices, will have to look into.

CEC is another suggestion i'll have to look into 

for an extra 3-4k they better sound better than the vintage Sony xa5400ES I just got

rare nearly new one for $1,700.

I currently have a Audio Research Reference CD9SE as my DAC. It is a tubed CD player / DAC. It is the best sounding DAC I have heard. I don’t bother listening to CDs any more as streaming sounds as good, usually better although I own 2,000 CDs.

However, I read reviews on both the DACs… I mean CD players you are considering. To me the design and review of sounds point to the tubed ayon cd-10 ii to be a better sounding unit. It is a more contemporary tube design and is very well reviewed,