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The XA-5400ES is getting mentioned a lot lately as being an excellent machine and excellent value. It will definitely be on a short list. Are there any recommended Marantz players?

I can imagine seeing that the stock 2900 is single-ended only.

Hi Grawk, I'm in Connecticut, though not really New York-area. I should have mentioned that multi-channel capabilities would be viewed favorably, though are not necessary. The 2900 looks like a solidly built player. Was it totally transformed by the mods, or were you pleased with it as stock?

I bought and returned a Yamaha S1800 universal player (that apparently does pure DSD) because it was a joke. The regular CD layers sent from my Mac over optical to my Monarchy 18B beat it in every way--I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Is there any SA-CD player under $1000 (used or new) that can do things with SA-CD (greater detail, more realism, bigger soundstage) that the aging Monarchy 18B can't do with CD? I'd really appreciate your recommendations. I'm quite pleased with the front end of my system--Gilmore Lite and the 650s.