I'm very happy with my stock Denon 1920. You can grab these for $250 or 300 new on eCost or eBay. It does well for DVD-A and SACD, and makes for a reasonably good transport for redbook. (It also sounds pretty good for redbook - a little forward sounding for my tastes - the image really jumps out of the soundstage and right at you in a pretty agressive way. But the tonality it good - very sweet mids for cheap consumer gear).
I'm sure the 2900 is better if you can swing the extra $100 and don't mind used though.
I'm sure the 2900 is better if you can swing the extra $100 and don't mind used though.