Hey Todd nice post..
Please allow me to tell my experience similar to yours when a/b to very different cd players.
I a/b my new pioneer universal player Pioneer DV588AS $116.00
Verses an old [5years] JVC xzmc22 300 disk player.
588 hooked up with optical and the JVC with analog cable.
Put two of the same disk-DMB stand up in both and hit play on both.
With a few friends we compared- all were in agreement that there was little or no difference between the two. I was amazed myself when we did it.
The Pioneer some said was a little clearer, but others did not hear it.
I can’t remember the post but awhile ago Alan mention that he himself did not think there was much difference between players.
Again enjoyed your finding a lot.
