Tubed cdp that can be hooked up to amp directly.

Look into an Audio Aero Capitole mkI you may be able to get one close to your price range and it is a great player. I have no experience with the Shanling but they do like nice.

I am going to have to disagree with lohkkw@tm.net.my with players that use a digital volume control it would be better, how ever those players that use analog volume control(even SS, not just tubed units) it has ALWAYS been better. I have tried it in a few different systems with a few different cd players and it is impossible to regain the transparency when running through a preamp- you may gain a little body and weight(even that is debatable) but everything else is just more "color" which some people like.

Most companies that sell cd players like to sell preamps as well, hence make more money. I think there are fewer one source only guys out there then you think, but more are becoming one source folks, for a number of reasons. Also more cd players are equiped with fair-good volume controls then ever before, there is a demand for it and the manufacturer's are answering. Some of the best cd players I have listened to have volume controls- and even the good ones that don't have a built in volume control I would opt to use a passive volume control a unit like the placette RVC and that's it. Preamps add a lot of cost for what they really do- I do understand it is very difficult and expensive to build a good preamp- it just seems like a lot of wasted money.

I would agree with using a preamp with some of the units that use digital volume control, in some systems that sounds really bad. Wadia and accuphase are the 2 that come to my mind as using digital volume control that can detract from the music.