Rega or Sony from a "digital dope"

I have to back up Kitch29 on the Cambridge. After auditioning a large group of sub $750 players, it was the winner. And, not by a small margin. I found it good enough to buy. It will be disappointing out of the box, but just wait till it breaks in. Becoming fuller, tighter, more detailed and extended. A wonderful answer to just what you are looking for, David. Digital out lets you use this as a transport, and plow the money you saved into a better upsampler, et al. I just do not get the Planet. Never have. I find the player dead. Dull. No pulse, no liveliness. Nothing. Maybe it would fit in a system that NEEDS something drastic to smooth it out, or calm it down. Last week, I finally got to put the Planet 2000 player through its paces. I would love to hear everyone else's take on this updated cosmetics/24 bit, $200 more expensive player. To me, it did all of the same wrong things as the original Planet. Uninvolving, unexciting sound, wimpy sound. If you look for excitement in your music, this is definitely not a player for you. I am at a loss as to why Sam Tellig fell all over himself to praise this machine. To my ears, I can find many cheaper, better players. The Jolida 603, Cambridge D500 SE(and D300, for that matter), the AMC tube output players, etc.

Ramstl I heard the Rega inserted into three different systems. One with all Rega electronics, one with all Rogue electronics, and one with all Electrocompaniet electronics. Cables were Nordost or StraightWire. Speakers were Linn or Osborn. It is the opinion of myself and my dealer that the $200 price increase of the Planet 2000 erases the best buy status of the old Planet. We diverge from there. I find the player boring, he just finds it unfulfilling. He finds the build quality/cosmetics awful, I find them OK. Both of us find the Cambridge D500SE superior. Superior in the areas of refinement, extension, clarity, pace, dynamics, and slam. I find the biggest difference is the Rega's seemingly dulling the music. If you are happy with the Rega, that is all that matters.