I owned an EMC-1UPSE, great player, very analog sounding with a deceptive amount of detail. Excellent player to get rid of a case of digititis, or bleeding of the ears as it is also known. I just bought an Ayre CD-7e and it is still breaking in but I am very impressed with it as well. You can get a new one for $3000 or used for less, but it competes with anything under $5000 for sure. A little more energetic than the EMC with a bit more pronounced top end, but very musical to be sure. Another one everyone raves about at this price is the Resolution Opus 21 but I have not heard it and cannot comment, but you may want to check it out as well.