Just my opinion, but the best bargain CDP I’ve heard is made by Jolida - about $1K and has a tubed output stage. If you can go to $3500, I’d recommend the Modwright/Sony XA5400ES. Dan Wright’s mods make this (already great-sounding) player ’world class’, and you get the benefit of excellent SACD playback as well.
Breaking your budget, my absolute favorite is the EAR Acute CDP. Ayre also make a nice sounding player, but the Acute is ’magic to my ears’. I hope that helps.