Best sounding CD player

To answer directly I love the Audio Research Reference CD9. Really natural and detailed. But in all honesty, I use it as a DAC nearly 100% of the time.

Streaming is surplanting all other forms. The best service is Qobuz and cost $14.99 / month… less for an annual subscription… the price was just reduced. For the cost of one CD per month you get access to millions of albums… over half a million of high resolution albums! This has got to be the best deal on earth! It is practically free. You also get access to thousands of HD internet radio stations through your streamer. 

The problem I have with streaming is the monthly cost for subscription to receive high end quality material.

Due respect, you’re totally missing the point.  For the price of one CD you could have access to thousands of new songs/CDs, many of which are in hi res that you won’t get on CDs.  Qobuz annual subscription is like $12-$13/month and is the best money you’ll ever spend as an audiophile.  Like many others, I rarely listen to my CDs anymore because 90% of them are available on Qobuz, plus I get to hear worlds of new music I would’ve never heard before.  Or, keep spinning the same silver discs you’ve been spinning forever over and over again.  Life’s too short man — expand your horizons. 

Okay when put that way, it makes sense. I do own a bluesound 2i streamer connected to my Cary 302/600 cdp and would like to improve my dac sound quality. I loved the AMR cd77.1 when I owned a decade ago and have been trying to achieve that sound quality since. Any recommendations without spending an arm and leg?

I have a T+A 3000 that I purchased used for 1/2 price. Great sounding players.

Check out the Ayre CX8.