No Ajani - I did not say entry level players. There is a huge difference between entry level players and hi-end players.

The Cambridge Audio Azur 840c could hardly be classified as entry level. Think of it more like the equivalent (in performance) of a $3,500 player selling for around $2,000. Likewise. the Benchmark DAC1 or Bel Canto DAC3 coupled to a decent transport for say 2,500 - 3,000 is inexpensive in high-end terms, but they are good value in terms of there performance, which is very close to the expensive players, with the difference coming down to added refinement in certain areas - certainly not night and day differences. An entry level player, something say, like the Oppo that everyones been raving about, doesn't compare in terms of two-channel performance. I bought the Oppo for my father in law and I can tell you it does not compare.