Best "RedBook" player out there

Overall stock value if you are into SACD as well (have enough of them alklready) would be top end Sony player which has lot's of folks modifying it.Think value buzz lately has been about Raysonic but coudn't say.For ultimate I'd say either the top Linn or the Merdian.But spending tht kind of dough when we don't know what is happening yet between HD and Blu-Ray is kind of nuts.but if you only have three years to live I'd say merdian G808.
Chazzbo

My Naim cd5x continues to impress and wow me with organic and natural sound and retails for $2995.
Many others like Resolution Audio Opus 21 & the Electrocompaniet unit, both are under $3k used.

Rega Saturn should be on your short list too.

Though they're a bit hard to come by I would recommend my Tube Technology Fusion CD64. It's a great Redbook only player that marries the same dac used in Chord's famed DAC64 to a discrete tubed analog output stage with a pair of 6922's. It's a steal for $4K new, if you can find one used jump on it!

See the thread I started on audioasylum.

http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/digital/messages/128493.html

For a 1 box, I'd try an ARC CD3, Mk I for $2200-2400, or Mk2 for around $3k.

I ended up with an ARC DAC3 + Levinson 31 transport. I paid less than $2500, and its amazing. Its miles ahead of what I've used in the past 2 years. Here's my history:

Started with a Naim CD5 + flatcap2 about 4 years ago. 2yrs ago, it was replaced by a Rega Planet 2000. I found the Naim too bright and tiring, tho the bass was nice. Last year, I picked up a Pioneer 563 on a'gon ($250!), that had been modded by Underwood Hifi.

This clearly was significantly better than both the Naim and the Rega. Both were sold a few months ago.

The ARC DAC3 was then used with the Pioneer as a transport. Better than the Pioneer/underwood. Very analog like, with a big soundstage. Tube rolling the ARC took it to a new level too.

But, with the arrival of the ML 31 transport, I'm done playing with the stereo!

An ARC CD3 is supposed to make a great transport too, and I almost bought that till I found the ML31. So, another route is to get an ARC CD3 Mk 1, and wait till you find a great DAC to go with it.

Or get a previously modded unit thats been used, where someone else had taken the depreciation for the mods. Maybe a Denon or Sony.