Shanling CDT-100 Great or Bad ?

What's not to like? Plays HDCD, upsamples, has tubes (allows you to roll to suit your tastes) and also offers a SS output if you're so inclined. Comes with standard footers and cones to tweak the set up. Pretty hefty power cord and an elegant/hefty remote. The Shanling also looks fantastic, no harm in that either. All this for under $2k? Helluva deal.

My only gripe: the damned numbers and markings on the remote are so small and faint they're near impossible to see.

i agree . what a deal for cd playback. i have both models. it even allows you to run the cd player right in to the amp. or if you have a non remote preamp. you can ajust the volume with the remote.

The Music Hall Maverick is another unit to consider...from what I understand it's essentially the CDT-100 without tubes and in a plain box. Dan Wright is finalizing a version of his Signature Tube Mod for the Maverick. Having owned one of his tube modded Sony 999ES players, this is an option I'd give serious consideration to.

I agree with Tvad the Sony mod 9000es signature ref
is so musical, I tried the power chord from audience
my system went to the next level,Iam very very please
with the musicality of this sony mod,consider it very
seriously,Dan is a good guy.I mean really good.Good
Luck

You're talking in absolutes, asking if it's "great" or "bad". That's quite a range!
Actually the Shanling is more middle of the road. But hey, it's pretty, and that's all some people care about. It looks good and impresses people who haven't heard the really good stuff.