Reference disc player...UDP 205 or Marantz?

@jonasandezekielI am an Oppo 105 owner and have been for five years; basically since it was released. So, I may be biased.

I heard the exact Marantz player you make mention of. It was in a system of Luxman 590AX II integrated, Marten Django L speakers, Frey wiring, and set up well (a little over $20K). The Marantz was definitely the weak link in that system. It was switched out for a Luxman D-o6u. It was definitely much better but still not lively enough for my taste. Though the Marantz is $2,500, it is not reference by a very long shot. Not trying to be disrespectful.

I've owned a few Marantz players and what was mentioned above I find resonates with me: the Marantz players are smooth sounding but roll of the sound up top. For me, that is a deal breaker.

Best of luck in your search.

I have been listening to a Musical Fidelity M6CD player for the past couple of years on some decent CJ monoblocks and ET5 preamp.  I just picked up an Oppo 105D withe the ModWright upgrades and it's among the best CD players i have ever heard.  Way better than the $6,000 Luxman, way better than the Musical Fidelity. $2,000 for a good used one, with upgraded tubes in the power supply and the unit itself.

I work hard to get really good value, and i don't think I'll be swapping out CD players again anytime soon.

Trust your ears.

Pokey...when I say"reference player" I don’t mean something costing ten grand, with a high snob factor, even though it certainly could be a player like that. Reference, the way I have always understood it to mean is WHATEVER a person can afford, that they enjoy, that they use as their go-to player to evaluate music, i.e. MY reference. It can be a 300 dollar player or a 30k one. It's that your experience as well?

No offense intended of course. I appreciate the advice.

Shadorne...yeah, its called their REFERENCE line.
I was asking for comparisons and advice. I'm not interested in arrogance. By the way...the Marantz 14s1 is part of their reference line in case you didn't know.

Liamowen, thanks for that. Does ModWright modify the 205? That might be interesting!