Quote Originally Posted by happy ears
Hmmm, likes the sound of his Marantz but thinks the Pioneer Elite is not so good. Must have forgot to DBT. My Pioneer recorder makes excellant digital copies but it doesn't match the Ah or other players in it's price range.

Whatever you buy I would test at home first. You already got the Marantz to compare to. Like you said there always is used.

God Luck in your hunting.
He did say his Pioneer is about to die. I am not there, I don't know one way or the other. If it is working properly no reason for that assesment. If not working properly, then yes.
CD players can be designed to sound euphonic, not rocket sc ience. Perhaps your Ah is so designed. A preference issue only.