So has anyone had the chance to compare the two players? bcd1/bcd3.... 
I haven't compared them directly, I compared the BCD-1 to BDA-1. With volume level matched the output sounded the same to me, so I sold my BCD-1.
So comparing the BCD-3 using my SP2 in bypass mode to Yamaha MG10 mixer the BDA-1, BDP-1 and SP2 in digital stereo mode(stereo mode is slightly better in bass resolution than bypass) to Yamaha MG10 mixer. I would say the BCD-3 in a more refined in transparency. But how well the BCD-3 sounds depends on the quality of the cd mix. If the cd mix is good there is nothing I have heard that surpasses the output in terms of transparency I'm hearing.

If you know how to transfer wav files to cd. You can compile your own cd mix and compare the BCD-3 to a BDP-1/2, just make sure you have the volume control adjusted down first.