Okay......best single box reference CD player

Most of the players mentioned are top class and you will probably satisfied with any of them. Put EMM LABS CDSA in your list also.

Mike I agree with you about the other DACs but EMM LABS still has the best SOTA DAC which can also be updated through the USB port. As everyone knows, differences between great cd players are very subtle and it takes great experience with hi-end, musical organs, and music productions to determine what is more "correct". And I think the EMM LABS is the best out there.

Its weird that everybody who has an Evolution Acoustics speaker has a Darzteel amp. And everybody who has both has a Playback designs cd player.

I suppose synergy is above everything.