Hello Chaps,
I have decided to look for a cheapish ($50 - $150) CD/universal player for my work system. I would like something that can deal with redbook CD and Mp3 Cds.

Two issues are that it must be able to cope with VBR Mp3s - I dont really want to re-encode my collection it took me long enough the first time, and it must cope with 700MB CDRs and preferably have long file name support. SACD might be nice but is not essential.

I have done quiet a lot of searching on the web and the VideoHelp.com site and cant find anything (currently available) that supports this and that has a (half) decent reputation. Does anyone know of a decent budget player that fits the bill.

Many thanks

I do not know where you live. In the US I go to Costco and look at the DVD players. All play CD's, MP3's and other compressed audio formats. Both the DVD players I bought, for under US$100 each, have this capability. Try walking around your local retailer with a credit card. You'll find something for sure.

I have a toshiba, and it works with long filenames and 700mb cds, but doesn't cope with VBR : it has random glitches pretty much everywhere.

Then again, it is a few years old (4) -- I suggest you bring a 700mb cd with mp3s on it and listen to it 5 mins on every cd player in the store.. you should hear glitches pretty often if they're to occur.

My Philips DVP-642 plays VBR MP3 just fine, it also plays Xvid movies as a bonus. You could get one for < 50 bucks at Amazon last time I checked.