I've lived with all three. Here's the lowdown.
Let's leave out tube sonics for the moment.
1. The Lector has a unique sound. It sounds far less like digital than other players. There just isn't a cloud of noise between the instruments. It also seems to but together each instrument more coherently. It just lets your hear each instrument more discretely without each instrument getting in the way of each other.
So in this way, I have to put the sound of the Lector in a group by itself. You can then tube roll to match your taste.
Back to tube sonics.
The BAT is also unique in a way. Most CD players are wimpy and thin sounding. Without the dynamics a good analog rig can have. Most people don't know this. They are used to the common batch of CD players. This is where the BAT shines. It is a little dated in terms of digital capabilities. But this is one heck of a musical player. But it will be too tubey for some. The newer upsampling players will sound more accurate.
The Cary has a more updated tube sound and better digital than the BAT. But not the drive, power and tonal complexity the BAT has. It compares more with the sound of a good solid state CD player.
Let's leave out tube sonics for the moment.
1. The Lector has a unique sound. It sounds far less like digital than other players. There just isn't a cloud of noise between the instruments. It also seems to but together each instrument more coherently. It just lets your hear each instrument more discretely without each instrument getting in the way of each other.
So in this way, I have to put the sound of the Lector in a group by itself. You can then tube roll to match your taste.
Back to tube sonics.
The BAT is also unique in a way. Most CD players are wimpy and thin sounding. Without the dynamics a good analog rig can have. Most people don't know this. They are used to the common batch of CD players. This is where the BAT shines. It is a little dated in terms of digital capabilities. But this is one heck of a musical player. But it will be too tubey for some. The newer upsampling players will sound more accurate.
The Cary has a more updated tube sound and better digital than the BAT. But not the drive, power and tonal complexity the BAT has. It compares more with the sound of a good solid state CD player.