Can anyone recommend a smooth, rich CD player?

I've been trying to sort this out for the past 3 years...

In my opinion (and experience) the Cary players will only sound warm if used in conjunction with tubes somewhere else in the signal path. If you go the Rega route you'll get great warm and musical mids but at the cost of rounded out highs and lows... Ideal solution based on equipment that I've heard: Electrocampaniet with solid state gear, or Cary with a tube pre...

You may also want to consider the Audiomeca Keops. It is based on a highly modified CEC belt drive transport, and has the attributes you are looking for.

there is only one warm and rich cd player ever made, namely the cal tempest.

One of the smoothest richest sounding cd players was the venerable pioneer pd-65. Many now use it soley as a transport but it had a very smooth dac. If your system is treble bright or you want a rich sound this may be one of the best and cheapest ways to achieve your goals.

I would listen to the Cary 303/300. Listen to the tube output. It is special.