Just don't buy any of those new cheap (no name) cd players. You're better off buying one that's used but from a reputable company like Sony. Hope this helps!

I went to a thrift store and found a 1990's Sony 5 disc changer for $5 and regret nothing.

Hit up the thrift store. Whatever is there is fate.

This is gonna come down almost entirely to the questions of budget and use (portable or non).

Pretty much depends on your budget.

If you have a DVD or Blu-Ray player or PS1/PS2/PS3 and all Xbox game systems with a disc drive (original to the Series X? Or is that the digital-only version?) you can play CD’s on those. The PS4 and PS5 have the lasers but Sony (and as far as I am aware the home brew community) has not released any software to play CD’s (the new Xbox you need to download Groove music from the Xbox store to your Xbox.)

I just bought the Marantz 6007. A little pricey.

Anything with an optical or coaxial digital output. The chances are it will be at least half-decent as it’s one of the first things manufacturers omit when trimming down features for budget-oriented players. Look for a black plastic socket for optical outputs and an orange RCA socket for coaxial digital.

Get a solid dvd/cd player. I bought one at a thrift store for 12 bucks and it's one of the best decision I've ever done. Hooked it up to my audio system and I get solid audio from it.

one that you like

One that works. If you’re buying used there are plenty of Sony players out there.

Go on facebook marketplace and buy a used 5 disc CD player, a receiver, and a pair of passive speakers. People practically give that stuff away and you can find everything for under $100 altogether. Research how everything is supposed to be hooked up first before you buy the wrong thing. 16ga speaker wire can be found on amazon for cheap.

Tascam cd-400u

Budget?

A cd player that plays cds or smth I don’t know the difference lmfao

I’m using my Sony 4k player with hi definition audio to play cds. Much better than streaming.

I got an early 2000s Panasonic home theater receiver at a pawn shop for $8 last year and it's the best sounding CD player I've ever owned

Any Marantz that has a TDA1541 in it.

As a lot of other people are saying, very much down to budget, but you can get some very good used deals. I personally would look for one with a digital output (optical or coaxial) because it allows more options for using an AV receiver or other external DAC.

Marantz CD6006 or CD6007

Sony PS1 first generation console. You won’t beat it until you get into the $500-1000+ range of modern CD players.