CD player suggestions...

Putting a $600 Audiolab CDT-6000 through a $2500 DAC is 5X the specified budget. Go with the Marantz CD-6007. Not often noted, Marantz has two digital filter options, something not often seen outside separate DACs. It is the first CD player I've owned that sounds noticeably better than the others.

Do you have a good DAC? If not, buy this first. All $800 CD players are going to have a very weak DAC.

Soley out of curiosity, I own one of the Emotiva CD3 players and unfortunately have little good to say about it. If I could, I would like to try yet another DAC with it, specifically the AudioQuest Dragon Red. Being as the AQ only allows for USB connection, is there an adapter to 'fix' this? 

 I mention it here because mechanically the Emotiva is good, but the rest of it, not so much. The OP could do something like this, maybe?

Audiolab 6000CDT Transport. $600 new, an amazing performer.

@peterpetre You have been given many suggestions for CD players within your budget. You have also been given other suggestions as to alternative approaches.

What are your thoughts?