CD player recommendations under $2K used

Hi Scott,

I'll bet that VAC/ ML rig sounds great! I'm a big fan of both. For digital, I'd investigate Reubent's RA Opus 21 reco, sounds like a great deal to me. Another reco would be a Marantz SA-11S1 or if you can find one at your price a SA-11S2, these Marantz's get you SACD capability too.

To be perfectly honest though, with your VAC/ML combo, I'd look to spend my $2K on a vinyl rig first. Digital has come a long way, but is still flatter and less fleshed out than vinyl, IMHO.

Happy hunting,
John

Another option to consider is the Modwright Sony 999ES Platinum version. I would make sure it has the tube rectified power supply though. It makes a huge difference. Theirs one for sale on here for for ~$1500.

Good luck

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlplay&1237505666&/MSB-cd-station-2-cd-player/pre
nothing out there can touch call rep vinny

Meridian 588, or if you can stretch it, a G08

I have the MF A5 and while I rate it extremely highly, it might not satisfy your preferences. Specifically, whilst it is a very neutral player, it is also quite analytical and I would even suggest a bit forward. For a one box player, I would take a look at the Primare CD31 (I see one is listed on A'gon for under $1300.00). When my brother was auditioning new CD players 12 months ago, this one bested similar priced models from Arcam, Creek, Cambridge and Marantz (and a couple of others I can't remember) and he was looking for the same sound signature you've described.

FWIW, my personal choice would be to get an Audio Note DAC (or perhaps another NOS DAC) and use this with a basic transport. Flexibility for the future in case you move to a computer/server based system, and a tremendously musical experience. You could probably get the Dac 2.1 for under $2k.