Maybe the best is the Marantz SA-8260 which is CD/SACD and is right at $1000 from my favorite source. The Musical Fidelity X-Ray is a very fine dedicated $1000 CD player, but, sadly, they're no longer manufactured, and the replacement in the MF line is going for about $1400. If my X-Ray died today, I'd go for the Marantz rather than paying the extra $400 to stay with MF.

Cambridge Azur 640c, Ah! Njoeb Tjoeb 4000 if you like tube sound, Rega Planet are good candidates.

If you do not look at the Jolida JD100 for $900 or less you might be making a mistake. Also the modded Music Hall from www.underwoodhifi.com got rave reviews from 6 Moons and is under $1K.

My votes go for the Marantz 8260 and the Rega Planet. The Marantz may edge out the Rega for SACD capabilities, but I do like the way both sound on regular cds.