Need to replace my Denon 2910, have $400?

Marantz & Denon are owned by the same parent company, D&M Holdings, Mahwah, NJ-USA office. I believe Marantz is considered the higher end line. So yes to your question comparing the two (just my opinion).

Theres a Marantz SA 8003 on the gon for $500, that a strong contender of the apollo?

used Rotel RCD1072, which I own.

How about a Squeezebox Touch ($350)? Since I purchased it I'm rarely, if ever, using my CD player anymore. Different ballgame altogether.

Hmmm, I've had a hard time thinking those squeezeboxes can sound much better than a cheap cd player but I've never really looked into them.

Depends of your definition of cheap. With 16bit/44.1kHz material, my SB Touch sounds as good as my Rotel RCD-1072 CD player ($800) playing the same CD, plus you have the option of 24/96 material and the flexibility digital audio provides. Some prefer the ritual of selecting a CD from the rack, opening it, looking over the art, etc. Certainly nothing wrong with that. However, I know I don't use my CD player anymore.

In case you are wondering, the rest of my system is Lamm LL2 pre, McIntosh MC275 amp, and B&W 804S.

Don't take my word. Do some reading around in forums and make up your own idea before buying.