What is the best CD player direct into one's amp?

I have owned and used several CD players or DACs with volume control. Here is the List:

Theta Miles (balanaced)
Cary CD-308
Quad 99 CDP
Resolution Audio Opus 21
Birdland Odeon Lite DAC
Monarchy Audio Model 33 DAC/pre-amp
Musical Fidelity CD/Pre-24 DAC/pre-amp

Personally, for value, I thought the Quad 99 CDP was the best. It sounded very good and only cost $800-850 used. It also had 6 additional digital inputs so you could add other digital components if you desire. Heck, you could buy one used, try it and resell it for little/zero loss if you didn't love it.

Overall, the best sounding from my list was the Resolution Audio Opus 21. Unfortunately, I have never seen one sell for under about $2400.

The Cary CD-308 is not bad for about $800 used. I've read that the Cary CD-308T (tube) is significantly better and it sells for about $1300 used.

Enjoy,

TIC

Hey Bill,

I know we've "sparred" over the Quad before and I too find if interesting that we agree on the other players and not the Quad. I really liked it in my system and it bested all of those listed, except the RA Opus 21.

Interestingly, I took the Quad to a friend's home. He has a very highly resolving system comprised of a $10,000 TT setup, a $4000+ Herron Pre-amp, Herron phono stage, ARC tube amplifier and Quad 63 speakers and a Meridian 508.24 CD player. It is a great sounding system. We put the Quad 99 CDP player into his system in place of the $4000 Herron and Meridian player. The Quad playing CD direct was easily superior to the Herron/Meridian combo.

Now, my buddy in an analog guy as you can tell from his system. He also preferred the Quad CDP playing direct vs the Herron/Meridian combo.

Just goes to show you, one man's champagne is another man's Miller High Life!

Enjoy,

TIC