[frankclone]

The pawnshops & used audio shops have quite a selection of
used CD home players.
What should I look for in selecting one for purchase?
What criteria can I apply in gauging fidelity of sound reproduction?
Brand name? What they flaunt on front panel (e.g., 8X oversampling, Bitstream, 16 bit DAC)?
I am guessing that a brief sampling in-store won't reveal
differences as readily as testing speakers or cans...also guessing that a lot of them will not be contemporary enough to be listed
in audioreview.com.

 

[thomas]

none of those specs mean a thing.

bring your favourate headphones (with an amp if possible), and your favourate Cds, and give it a listen.

That way you will know how well its sounds (with your equipment + music) and you can make sure that its working properly.

 

[wab]

Try to see how much use it has had (worn off button logos, remote) and try all it's functions.
I wouldn't buy one that's older than say 5 years. Marantz, NAD, Rotel and Technics make pretty good budget players and if the price is right you can't really go wrong.