Wadia think about expensive CD Players ?

The answer is no- With out listening in your system and knowing exactly what you need for your system, it's impossable to pick the better player by just throwing more money at it. I agree with many of the quotes above- yes $5000. players are better built than the under $2500 ones but many of those cheaper players sound much much more lively and engaging than the typical boring sound of the big bucks players. Take Ayre(3k) verses ML360(6k) for example-the ML sounds more refined but the Ayre crushes the ML in musicality and bounce. Which one do you need?? only you can tell. If you can't demo,then go cheap like the Rega or naim or Gamut/Ayre/Cary if you feel better spending more money-I do.

I have compared different levels of players extensively. Say a Rotel 955 or NAD 302 compared to a Rega Planet, the Rega is clearly better, compare the Rega to a Wadia 860x, no contest the Wadia sounds a lot better. Now the comparison between the 2200.00 Audio Aero Prima and the Wadia 860x, to my ear the Prima is another step above the Wadia and for 1/4th the price. If you like warmth and musicality I would check into the Audio Aero gear either the Prima or the Capitole mk 2.

I very much agree with one of the above posts that your system must be up to the task of enabling the best players to show their stuff

Just buy something second hand to try out then sell it if you don't like it.

Transporter:

I know that this is not quite in the price range of other players (and possibly not in the ultimate performance range), but from what you are describing as your sonic goals, I am wondering if a modified Jolida JD-100 might fit the bill. On the other end of the price spectrum, a decent transport and a Theta Digital Gen VIII is going to be very hard to beat.

Tom.

I agree with Budrew, especially his comment that the differences in players tend to be subtle.

If you want a warmish, musical CD player that can be had for less than $3,000 used (the original version listed for $5,000), the Audio Research CD-3 would be a safe purchase (I chose it to be the CD player in my main system). Only caveat is that it loads from the top, so you need a good four inches at a minimum above the player to permit loading.

Remember that CD players are computers and that, like all computers, the newer designs tend to give you more for your money. I sold my Levinson 37 / 360s combo (a circa 1997 design) for the much newer, much cheaper, slightly better-sounding Audio Research CD3 (2001-2002 design).

You need to make sure your CD player is well broken in (this cannot be overemphasized) and to leave it on 24/7 (this absolutely cannot be overemphasized).

Good luck