My experience is quite different. While i could not really tell the difference between my midfi NAD c541i & Sony Xa20ES players (i mean they were different but equal), the difference was HUGE when i bought the (used) Museatex CDD transport & bitstream converter. I also tested a Krell CD player (around $2,000 street)and it was much more imposing, but alas, even more DIGITAL than my NAD. The museatex is very analog, and i havent even modded it yet. I agree though Phil, IMHO the speakers are the main component to focus on, since they have the most error.
-akhilesh