good cd transport for $1,000 or less

They claim it doesn't matter but I would be curious to try it and see if that is true. I would use the USB input and my computer if there isn't a specific reason you have to use a transport. Cost is zero since you evidently already have a computer plus you get all of the convenience of computer based playback vs. loading discs.

i fully agree with bob reynolds--with the excellent dac, any inexpensive, well-built transport should suffice. i like cambridge, which has a very smooth tray mechanism and reads discs very quickly; rotel and sony es are also solid alternatives.