RCA RP 2010B. This cd player is the closest to analog sounding I found. It simply sounds great and has that same feel than what I hear on video tape or cassette. I listen a lot to alternative rock (Smashing Pumpkins) and guitar players (Steve Vai and Van Halen mostly). Midrange crunches the right way. Smooth highs. The drum and bass kick with musicality. The electric guitar is very well rendered, when the lead starts, mister guitar god becomes a magician. The Burr Brown PCM 1717e DAC does its job. A rarity nowaday. I bought a second one used. Highly recommended.

Are you kidding ?

I know the common wisdom is that no one listens seriously to cd portables but can this really be true? Anyway, I began to search for the best one. I bought several, a Philips, Kenwood, Panasonic and then finally the RCA. By far, the RCA 2010 sounds the best. One reason may be it's the only one of the bunch that uses an 18bit DAC filter. Whatever the reason it sounds great. I was able to bypass my headphone amp and go direct because there's volume to spare. I heard gut thumping bass with my Beyer DT 990 headphones. I used Grado SR 60s, and a variety of others. I found the sound equalled any that I heard over phones, direct from a portable's jack. Buy it while you can. It's a bargain at $79. I hope RCA gets some credit for this one. To be honest, I never expected it and I almost ignored them. Bad marketing. Great product!