I have an EVS modified Oppo BDP-105D, an Ayre C5xe-MP and even an ancient Oppo DV-983H. I targeted and searched for all 3 of these models and had to wait quite a while until I found used ones on the market that weren't almost the same cost as new. I saw the ones that I thought were priced too high sell time and again.
I think each of these are great examples of disc players that are worth the investment. Even the DV-983H is surprisingly good and both the Oppos play my digital downloads on USB drives. The BDP-105 can also stream and play hi-res digital files like FLAC and DSD, so even if the 'CD is dead' it will still be relevant. I've not had an opportunity to compare a modified Oppo to a stock model, so I can't say how much of an improvement Rick Schultz's efforts added; but I can say that it stands up very well with the much more costly Ayre, which has no USB ports. But the Ayre does do magic with redbooks.
I think each of these are great examples of disc players that are worth the investment. Even the DV-983H is surprisingly good and both the Oppos play my digital downloads on USB drives. The BDP-105 can also stream and play hi-res digital files like FLAC and DSD, so even if the 'CD is dead' it will still be relevant. I've not had an opportunity to compare a modified Oppo to a stock model, so I can't say how much of an improvement Rick Schultz's efforts added; but I can say that it stands up very well with the much more costly Ayre, which has no USB ports. But the Ayre does do magic with redbooks.