Hi, in another thread (
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?p=209253#post209253) I mentioned an intermittent skipping problem my Onkyo CD player is having. It's a 6-disc player, model DX-C540.
I gave it a thorough cleaning today--dusted the carousel and wiped it with a fast-evaporating cleansing wipe (made sure to let it dry before running a disc). I played one of the troublesome discs. It skipped in the middle of the first track.

I ran my Allsop disc cleaner. Ditto.

I ran the Allsop cleaner three times in a row, and replayed the CD. No skip in track one. Good, but I didn't have time for further testing today. Maybe I had a stubborn dust spot on the lens. Let's hope so.
But if I need to replace my CD player, what brands and models do you recommend for me? Here's what I'd want:
5- or 6-disc carousel.
Player that allows random play from all the inserted discs.
Ability to open the carousel and change discs while another disc is playing (this is a deal-breaker).
Player that gives good sound without costing an arm and a leg (more on $$ in a sec).
Player that's good with problem discs (most of my CDs are in great shape, but some of the ones I bought used...).
Price? Let's say anything up to $500, but that's not written in stone. I'd be open to a factory-refurbished player.
If my CD player died tomorrow, I could play CDs with my DVD player, of course. Though my DVD player is a 5-disc model, it won't let me open the carousel and swap CDs while one's playing.
I hope my Onkyo lives several more years. But just in case, what would you recommend for me?
Thanks,
Chris