There is an Onkyo 7030 on Amazon for $168.  It has some good reviews.

Thanks for replying guys. Long time no hear!

The $168.00 looks like a good deal. That's cheaper then the $229.00 PILL.

What would you recommend for a cheap amp? I was thinking of doing this :

http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-da30-2-x-15w-class-d-bridgeable-mini-a...

Perhaps after a ZBOX using Allen Bradley 47K resistors.

I just bought a $30 Lepai amp to power a project at work. It sounds pretty doggone good.
http://www.parts-express.com/lepai-lp-2020a-tripath-class-t-hi-fi-audio-mini-amp...

Hi Corey,

The Onkyo C-7030 player is GREAT bang for the buck.
I offer them at my storefront because they are the best I have heard at anywhere near the price. It not only sounds good, but is built like a tank.
Very solid and dependable.
It uses a Wolfson® 192 kHz/24-bit DAC which sounds very good to my ears ..... and I'm pretty picky.

When I attended the Capital Audio Fest last year and set up my demo room, I used one as the front end. There was some very pricey gear at that show and when several visitors to my room asked what I was using for a front end, they were floored when I told them. It sounded that good.

Of course, the Decware SE84 amplifier and my Betsy baffles didn't hurt the sound either .....

Is the C-7030 as good as the 7000.00 front end in my home system ?
No. But I can listen to it for hours with well recorded CDs and it puts a smile on my face every time.

For 168.00, that's a no brainer.
My dealer cost is higher than that when shipping is figured in.
I don't buy enough of them from Onkyo to get free shipping.

Best wishes,

Randy

I stopped by Randy's room at CAF and that room sounded incredible. It was better than some of the high dollar rooms I went in and yeah he was using
that CD player.

This might be a good place to ask so, even though it's twice what the Onkyo 7030 might go for, would the Tascam CD-240 be a better option?  I don't do much with digital.  I use an OPPO DV-980H that I paid $170 for 9 years ago for the occasional CD.  Anybody know if either of the above units would be a significant upgrade for the OPPO?  I feed into a CSP3 and then into a ZMA.

Hi Corey,

Nope ..... the Betsy baffles use the Wild Burro Audio Betsy driver.
You can read about it here.

I make no secret about the driver I use and anyone can buy them and make their own baffles.  It's a great driver for the money ..... and then some.

What I get paid for making my speakers is my time, wear and tear on my tools and the risk I am taking trying to keep all of my fingers intact while using a router .....

Thanks for the compliment on the baffles ..... I think they look pretty nice and sound even better.
Paired with a Decware SE84UFO or Rachael, they make music that far exceeds the cost of the amp and speakers.

Best wishes,

Randy

Thanks Lin, that's the kind of informed advice I was hoping for. Any thoughts on toe to toe with the OPPO 980?  I would hope the Onkyo would easily best it.

Corey,

  I see where you say you've pulled the trigger.  The 7030 is a good unit.  I've had one for about two years.  I've had it at home in my office, back and forth to my office at work and back again.  Randy's right.  It may not be especially heavy, but it is built like a "small" tank.  For the price point, it is hard to beat.  I ended up moving it out when I bought an Oppo 105D to consolidate my CD/SACD and Blu Ray.  Still listen to the Onkyo every day at work.  Hope you like it.

Lon,

Wanna sell your Dal amp?

$250.00 cash its mine?

Okay, PM sent. It will have to be a US funds postal money order. I haven't used Paypal in years. You send the amp after you cash the funds.

Thanks buddy!  :)  Your the real thing Lon! (true audiophile)  :)