At the risk of sounding like a broken record (er, sorry): Bryston BCD-1. XLR outs, right in your price range, superlative sound...
2 channel cd player xlr $2000-&3000 used or....
I have a denon 3930ci--aq cheetah--pass x2.5--ps xstream statement--pass x 150--kimber bifocal xl--3a sigs&v2w. I will keep the denon as a universal player.Would a tube player deepen the sound stage? Shangling 3000 mod, cary? How about ayer cx-7e, ar3,................................ thanks for your imput.