Take the plunge into tubed CD player?

I am thinking of dumping my Sony 333ES (using as a tranport for redbook into a Monarchy 33 DAC via Monarchy DIP) and getting a one box tubed CD player, specifically the Jolida 100. Who amongst us has compared the Jolida (with or without mods) to some really good but more expensive CD players? My budget is $800 (used prices). I am looking for the smoothest analog sounding redbook player I can find which could also include the Music Hall player with mods.