What is the most analog sounding CD player under $

You got a lot of good suggestions but I question the premise of your original comparison question. I've owned a few different turntables and CD players over the years and I've had CD players that sounded more "analog", or in general much better than some of my turntable/cartridge combinations. Sorry, don't mean to derail this conversation but I'd like to hear someone explain what "analog sound" sounds like.

What do you mean by isolation - physically or electrically? To the OP, I'm also in the same situation as you and have decided to look for a better DAC than a "better" CDP. I think that approach provides a better longer term path for future growth.