Most Analogue-like sounding Player 2k or less

RESOLUTION AUDIO CD-55 (used)
YOU WILL LIKE IT

ML 39 not the new one.

c'mon, guys. you can not get sound from rebook cdp’s "like a top shelf turntable" for anywhere close to $2k. no way. no how. to provide a frame of reference, the latest of the top of the top shelf analogue systems i've auditioned: clearaudio "grand reference" tt, latest iteration of the souther/clearaudio tangential-tracking arm and clearaudio insider gold cartridge, played through aesthetix io and callisto, a pair of accuphase a-50v amps and avalon eidolon speakers, all wired together with tara, the one ic's and cables. to get roughly, very roughly, equivalent digital sound from cd’s is gonna' cost you at least $15k, msrp for a pre/dac (boulder 1012) and at least $7.5k for a compatible transport (several). for $2k, you'll get the sound, almost, of a $2k analogue frontend. -cfb

Must agree with Kelly; no way you're gonna compete with quality analog for 2 grand. Within this budget consraint however, you can get ahold of an EAD Ultradisc 2000 one-box player for around $1200 now (it listed for $2500). This was Absolute Sound's favorite one-box machine (back when it was in production) so I picked one up & it's very smooth yet detailed & musical, with an HDCD bonus which is way better than 16-bit redbook. Much cheaper than SACD & their 20 bit DAC makes all your redbooks sound better as well. The U2000 was also very popular at the shows a of couple years ago. Not the best around, but for the money it's killer.