Considering getting a CD player (again). Used? New? Criteria?

I am in the same boat and decided to try the Cambridge Audio CXC to go along with my Peachtree Audio Nova 150. I know I am in the minority here, but I am not impressed. There is no comparison between it and my Node2 streamer. It’s not an apples to apples comparison, but it’s not even close. I am going to do some more comparing but at this point I don’t see a reason to keep it. I am still within my return period.
 I don’t know what to try next. I’m feeling a little gun shy at this point, and am hesitant to get anything that I can’t return. There are a lot of good suggestions on this thread. I don’t want to spend $2k to get something that sounds close to the Node2. What to do, what to do?

Don't go used. Electronics are basically eternal, mechanics are not. a CD has meaningful mechanic components that will fail and crash in time. also laser light alignment is another mechanical issue that will come to bother you. Go new with any of the sensible suggestions that have been made.

EAR Yoshino Acute Classic - one of the finest CD players ever built

hilde45

There are no shortage of Audio shops in Colorado- listen, listen, listen to the various spinners in your state. Enjoy the journey!

Happy Listening!

@ericsch The Rega Apollo R is $1,095, which is not in my price range. My upper limit is $700. Maybe someday, but I’m sticking with my own parameters.

@mcstin The Node2 streamer is something I’m considering also. But my inquiry is not an either-or. I’m looking for a CD player so I can play CD’s.

@marklings Thanks for confirming my own instincts. I’ve had two CD players die over the years on me. They were fairly inexpensive, so this time I’m seeking new and something sturdy, but without going spending-crazy on a format that will only be a utility infielder in my lineup (hence the price limit).

@twodolphins The Ear Yoshino looks great, and lists for $6795, nearly 10x my budget.

@jafant I’ll do my best to go listen! The tricky part is knowing that what I’m hearing is coming from the CD player itself. And while listening always contains a number of variables, at least if one brings something of one’s own gear — e.g. I brought my speakers to a store to hear their speakers, side by side — one can get something of evidence. I suppose I could side by side players at a store, but transports seems more difficult. And comparing a transport with a full player isn’t going to cut it at my price point. That’s why mechanical hardiness and price are so key for something like this. This is more likely to be an untried purchase than, e.g., speakers or amps.