This thread has been going on for a LONG time! I'm going to join in, too. My votes for best CD players for the money:
Meridian 508.24 (can find used for great prices)
Ah! New Tjoeb (unbelievably good for $579)
Any CAL, but particularly Aria Mk III, Icon Mk II, & Tercet
(the tubed Alpha or Sigma DACs are also great)
If cost is no object, my list would be different, but in my opinion these players offer incredibly good sound for extremely reasonable prices. Any of these could suffice as the last CD player you ever need to buy, unless, like me, you just have the fever for changing things every few months or so. I lived with the Meridian for 7 years! It was excellent. Before that, I had Cal Tempest II, and used it for about 6 yrs straight. Now I buy/trade/change more frequently. I'm using the EMC-1, the Marantz SA-1, and the Ah! New Tjoeb, and love them all. Each does great things for my CDs. I disagree w/those who find the EMC-1 "hard;" it is the most analog-like CD player I have ever owned, in my opinion. But I am female and 48, and my ears and hearing and tastes may be quite different from yours.
Reading and contributing to this thread has been fun!
Meridian 508.24 (can find used for great prices)
Ah! New Tjoeb (unbelievably good for $579)
Any CAL, but particularly Aria Mk III, Icon Mk II, & Tercet
(the tubed Alpha or Sigma DACs are also great)
If cost is no object, my list would be different, but in my opinion these players offer incredibly good sound for extremely reasonable prices. Any of these could suffice as the last CD player you ever need to buy, unless, like me, you just have the fever for changing things every few months or so. I lived with the Meridian for 7 years! It was excellent. Before that, I had Cal Tempest II, and used it for about 6 yrs straight. Now I buy/trade/change more frequently. I'm using the EMC-1, the Marantz SA-1, and the Ah! New Tjoeb, and love them all. Each does great things for my CDs. I disagree w/those who find the EMC-1 "hard;" it is the most analog-like CD player I have ever owned, in my opinion. But I am female and 48, and my ears and hearing and tastes may be quite different from yours.
Reading and contributing to this thread has been fun!