Best redbook CD player

Well, there is no actual 'Best', only subjective opinions of what is best. In your situation and price range I would look for a Resolution Audio Opus 21.

Happy hunting,

John

Chashmal, I find some of your lingo a bit confusing. First, you start this thread entitled 'Best redbook CD Player', then it turns out that you are not looking for the best redbook cd player, but the best under $2500.

Now I've already stated that 'best' is a relative term that means so many different things to so many different people that in reality it means nothing. Looking at this thread already this is the 19th post and we already have 10 different suggestions as to the 'best' under $2500 and even one suggestion for the 'best' well over $2500.

Next, you want to know if the RA Opus will 'blow away' your Meridian. Quite frankly, this is audio salesman jargon. In audio, as in many hobbies, one spends quite a bit of $$$ to gain that last 5-10% in performance. If one CDP 'blows away' or 'kills' another CDP, then you have one properly operating CDP being tested alongside one CDP in need of repair (laser issue, cold solder joint, etc.).
While I would prefer the sound of the RA Opus over the Meridian, I'm sure others may prefer the Meridian.....most 'normal' people will hear no difference at all.

Then you come in with the comment that vinyl is 75-90% of your source material. Now knowing this, I would recommend you just keep the Meridian and spend your $2500 to upgrade your analog rig, table, arm, cartridge, phono preamp, etc.
I know Linn is always coming out with mods for their LP-12. Many, such as Origin Live will mod your Rega RB-300 arm, or maybe you want a RB-1000 or even a Linn tonearm. If you like your Lyra Dorian, try a Helikon....etc, etc.
It would seem to me that you would gain more by upgrading your primary source than by spending all of that $$$ on a source you use only 10-25% of the time.

Just my $0.02, take it for what it's worth.

Cheers,
John

Actually, just as much as I hate to admit it, MrT just might be on point on his reco here. Just look at this thread also posted today, to see some high end transport nightmares. Read Trejla's reply in particular, this from an importer/distributor. As Joe puts it so well:

12-19-08: Trelja
I consider them (transports) the achilles heel of the high-end audio hobby, and do not recommend costly CD players in most instances, as one is simply buying a glamorous case and (hopefully) well designed/implemented power supply and output section all wrapped around a cheap piece of junk that is more than likely destined for the type of failure that leaves one's machine not much beyond a large, expensive doorstop.

At the very least, if you cannot go with a computer drive now, you may consider an inexpensive transport with a high quality DAC instead of a CDP. One that you can still use when you are ready to make the move to a music server in the future.

Cheers,
John