What is the best redbook CD player for 6K to 8K?

06-11-06: Mattkimb96
I am not going to say it is the best, but don't let the fact that the Ayre CX-5 is an SACD player remove it from your consideration set. The fact it plays SACD's is a bonus. The thing is an unbelievable Redbook performer and is a SIGNIFICANT upgrade to the CX-7e player across every parameter. If I had $6,000 to spend on a CD player I'd get the Ayre and never look back.
Mattkimb96 (System | Threads | Answers)

The Ayre is near the top of my list, too. I heard the C-5xe in a couple of rooms at HES in LA, and none of them had holographic sounding images, so I began to wonder if it was what I was looking for.

Have you heard the Ayre create a 3D image? Only tubed CD players have done this in my experience.

Thanks for all your help. I have checked around and found local dealers for Esoteric, Audio Research, Sim Audio Moon Products, Mark Levinson, and Ayre Audio. Audio Aero Capitole looked promising, but the closest dealer is in Canada, so that's out. Esoteric has potential, but they don't have redbook CD players. The UX-3 universal is a step up from DV-50 universal and may have the redbook playing quality that I'm looking for. At $9,000 the AR CD-7 is a bit over my budget. A used one will will fit my needs, but I'll have to wait since it just came out. I've heard that the CD-7 is the best sounding redbook player under $10,000, maybe at any price. Also on my short list are the Sim Audio Super Nova, and Eclipse, as well as the Ayre C-5XE. I've already heard the ML 390S. Now comes the fun part: listening and comparing. Let me know if any of you come up with some more ideas. Thanks again.

either a used Linn CD-12 or used EMM Labs DAC6--CDSD Transport. both can be purchased for around $8k. to my ears they are at least as good as anything else.

i did have a used DAC6/CDSD for sale but it is now sold.

staying wiyh a one format machine makes perfect sense,you get the biggest bang for the money...

dodson da218 dac with a good transport will be a killer redbook playback. As good as it gets in its price class.
As one box players go, I really like my ARC CD3MkII, but it's ubder your budget. So may be ARC CD7 will be a better choice for you.