I own a YBA Integre DT integrated amplifier and was in the process of upgrading my Rotel RCD-950 CD player.
Since I choose to adhere to the laws of personal economics, I determined that I would not spend more than C$2,800. on a new source. At that price range, 2 units interested me: Classe Audio CDP .5 and YBA CD Integre. My listening tests were conducted at a reseller that carries both lines.

Test equipment; Amplifier: YBA Integre DT, Speakers: JM Lab, Interconnect: Nirvana Audio
Speaker Cables: YBA Diamond.

My notes on the Classe CDP .5: Precise imaging, refined inner detail, wide dynamic range, a slightly analytical sound and a soundstage that does not seem to extend much behond the physical limits of the speakers. Overall, a very good sounding player.

My notes on the YBA CD Integre: Very good imaging, smooth and natural sound, wide dynamic range, excellent low end detail, a soundstage that extends well behond the speaker placement and a sense of realism and openess that I found lacking in the Classe.

For my ears, the CD Integre is the perfect pairing for the Integre DT. Not to denigrate the Classe, a fine player, which probably sounds better with a Classe CAP80/150 amplifier.
Further note on the CDP .5; this unit has officialy been discontinued from production (April 99) and it's replacement, the CDP 1.5, will retail for C$3,750.

The YBA unit has a minimalist front panel that I appreciate. The YBA's TEAC transport however does not inspire confidance. Looks very plastic to me. The mecanism is silky smooth however. The unit display window is small and characters are hilighted in amber making them hard to see from a distance. No digital output. The unit only provides RCA analog connectors. The construction quality seems very good even though the unit's weight is on the light side.

Overall, I consider the CD Integre to be a major upgrade over my Rotel RCD-950. I would have been hard pressed to find a better sounding player at this price range.
As always, good interconnects are a must. In this regard, I chose YBA's own Diamond interconnect which are conceived with the same philosiphy as all YBA products, to serve the music.

Rating: 4 stars. (5 stars=perfection, which I dont think exists)

Musicality and smooth sound

truncated at bass, can make femail voice sound unnaturally loud

I owned the original Integre, a player that used a different transport and different power supply from the current model. The current model has better BASS and more extended treble at the loss of smoothness, and musicality. The musical image is not as cohesive and inviting on the newer version as it was on the older version.

If buying used, the older version is the more satisfying listen for longer periods of time, say several hours. I found that the new version hurt my ears after only 30 minutes.

Evaluation equipment included, a YBA 2 preamp, YBA 3 poweramp, Copland 401 Tube Integrated, Reference 3A MM, Totem Model 1, Cardas wiring(golden cross or neutral reference.

I was a very happy owner of the ORIGINAL version for over 2 years before I sold it and bought separates at much higher prices.