I've got a Marantz DV-8400 and it's great. Not cheap but a wonderful player. It's plays just about every format known to man. I've had lesser players and I can hear the difference. YMMV though...

Sorry, I just read the part of your message that mentions a budget. My bad. Nevermind :-)

Lawrence

[This message has been edited by foamx (edited October 22, 2003).]