Help picking a CD player

My heart wants the April Music one, as it looks so nice, has great reviews and was the most expensive when new. My brain says get the new SMSL, as it has the latest technology and I can try it out with my system and easily return it if it’s not to my liking. It’s also the least expensive. The new technology calls me - it’s why I changed my amp from a 50+ year old McIntosh for a new Micromega.

a new suggestion is to get a new blu ray player with optical output, and then I can use it for more than just CDs. Thoughts and suggestions encouraged!

@pippi it's never a bad idea to follow your heart. If nothing else, you won't have those nagging what-if thoughts :)

a new suggestion is to get a new blu ray player with optical output ...

quality of a dedicated transport is important, let alone the implicit limitations of optical out.  You are going backward.

Can't agree with the Onkyo recommendation. Sonically, yes, it is good. But it skips, doesn't read, discs that other machines have zero problems with, and not nearly as fool-proof as others I've had including a 1990's era CAL Icon player with 'older' technology. 

”implicit limitations of optical out. “

I haven’t heard of this. What do you mean?

Honestly I’m not much of a movie guy. I just saw some videos of people extolling the virtues of a good Blu Ray player as a transport.