Best CD player under 5000

My new Cary CD 303 says on the back panel that "ASSEMBLLED
IN HONG KONG". I was surprised to find that out as I thought
that all CARY products were fully manufactured in USA.
Does your CD 303 say "ASSEMBELLED IN HONG KONG" ?

radni, i dunno fer sure, but i'd bet that the cary cd-player is some yapanese player (originally assembled in h-k), that cary buys, then modifies in the usa. this is common w/lotsa hi-end players. call dennis had & ask him - i've found him to be quite cordial & frank...

doug s.

Hi Leafs, I had a chance to hear a properly setup Meridian 508.24 and the new 588 (I preferred the 508.24). My experience at Alternative Audio in Dundas was far different then any other Toronto dealer so far. Equipment was properly set up with Symposium Rollerblocks, Golden Reference Cables, Blue Circle Amps and preamps and some real nice sounding Merlins. I auditoned three rooms at Altenrative Audio and the Meridian, Blue Circle, Cardas, Merlin synergy was among the best I have heard in a sub $50K systems, bettering my Sony SCD-1 on Redbook.

Now that I've said all that, here's my question: I have a chance to purchase a used Meridian 508.24 for $3K CDN ($2K US). Have you compared the Meridian to the Audio Aero you were previously recommending that I audition? Is the AA THAT much better? -- (I have trouble justifying $9K on any CD player.) Let me know what you think. And anyone else out there with 508.24 who has compared it to the EMC-1 and Audio Aero or Mephisto II, I would like to know if you'd think the older Meridian (508.24) is still competitive to the better players under $6K US.

I would add the Ayre D-1 to your list of cd players to look at. Although it is also a DVD player, several American and European highend reviewers have called it's cd performance the best they have ever heard.

That darn EMC-1 just keeps coming back -- so many of you think its the best under $5K, I'm beginning to believe you. Where in the Toronto area can I hear one so I can finally justify the purchase and finally compare it with the Meridian, which I have heard and liked?