Audiophile grade CD Carrousel/changer? Am I crazy?

If you can find one (as the model has been discontinued) ... SONY SCD 555 ES .. it is a SACD Changer. When it first came out 2 years or so ago, it was an $1800 unit and was down to as low as $600 as of late last year.

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start;sid=fZBxImXRCdpxBFrCxmV7KSrfSeeDEumNFZ4=?CatalogCategoryID=&ProductID=B9sKC0%2eNceEAAAD2_8%2eHHFC6&Dept=hav&Boutique=es

mcintosh mcd 205....the best

Nakamichi Dragon CD Player ... very expensive and mainly available in Japan but it is BEAUTIFUL!

Why not consider an outboard DAC and keep your current changer as a transport?

Anthem CD-1 from Sonic Frontier. Well built with great tube sound.

Second the Sony SCD-C555es. Good on its own and surprisingly good as a transport.

I can personally vouch for the Sony SCD-333ES changer I use in my second system. Surprising sonics, plus SACD. I bought it expecting to return it because I thought it would feature mass - fi digital sound - thin, constrained, bright, harsh, no bass. Instead, it fell on the other side of the coin; it's errs on the side of warmth and richness. Bass is quite good, which is my main complaint with CD.

Some say the 333ES is sonically superior to the 555ES, but I can not confirm that. I have never had the second player in my system, and my intuition is that if there is a difference, it may not make a difference. I chose the 333ES as it is a channel player, which fits my wants and needs.

This being said, the 333ES is not as good sounding as my Music Hall MMF25. Again, the 333ES is a great sounding changer, but is slower, darker, and less refined than the Music Hall player. Of course, I consider the Music Hall THE best buy in digital, as well as the player to hold those of us who do not want to lay out a lot of money on a player until things become more certain.

I can personally vouch for the Sony SCD-333ES changer I use in my second system. Build quality continues to impress me over one year later. I don't think many at Sony lose sleep in feeling they will have to repair machines in the 5 year warranty period. And the thing is just so darn flexible.

Surprising sonics, plus SACD. I bought it expecting to return it as I thought it would feature mass - fi digital sound - thin, constrained, bright, harsh, no bass. But, I wanted to hear if SACD was at all worth it. Instead, it fell on the other side of the coin; it's errs on the side of warmth and richness. Bass is quite good, which is my first complaint of the CD players that I can afford(under $2500 new).

SACD is a good thing. No, it isn't earth shattering. And, no, I don't think it is as good or better than vinyl done right. But, it addresses my two biggest complaints with CD - low frequency fundamentals and restoring the sense of "flow" to the music. SACD is superior to CD.

Some that know more than me say the 333ES is sonically superior to the 555ES, but I can not confirm that. I have never had the 555ES in my system, and my intuition is that if there is a difference, it may not make a difference. I chose the 333ES as it is a channel player, which fits my wants and needs, and I was at the right place at the right time.

This being said, the 333ES is not as good sounding as my Music Hall MMF25. Again, the 333ES is a great sounding changer, but is slower, darker, and less refined than the Music Hall player. I consider the Music Hall THE best buy in digital, as well as the player to hold those of us who do not want to lay out a lot of money on a player until things become more certain.