I have an ARC CD3 that goes for roughly $2,500 used.
It is very solidly built and is a sophisticated, balanced performer that forced me to sell a ML 39 tranport and 360s DAC combo. The only caveat is that it's a top-loader. I think it compares quite favorably to anything eles in that price range. In fact, it's the first CD player I've owned that is not just absolutely toasted by my analog rig -- I can happily listen to CD's all night long now.
Good luck.
It is very solidly built and is a sophisticated, balanced performer that forced me to sell a ML 39 tranport and 360s DAC combo. The only caveat is that it's a top-loader. I think it compares quite favorably to anything eles in that price range. In fact, it's the first CD player I've owned that is not just absolutely toasted by my analog rig -- I can happily listen to CD's all night long now.
Good luck.