I am also in the market for a CD Player that retails $1000 to $1500, somewhat less than your $1500 BP's. I just read two reviews, one of the Rega Apollo
http://stereophile.com/cdplayers/606rega/ that retails for $1000 and one for the MF X-RAYv3 http://stereophile.com/cdplayers/1204mf/ which also retails
for $1000. Both received what might be termed class jumping performance for the money reviews. Which is better or where the Musical Fidelity A3.5 @ $1600 compares, I'd also like to know. One person told me he thought the $1000 Apollo might approach the $2500 MF A5, but with less warmth. He had reason to be biased. Anyway, perhaps others may have something to add.

I've gotten more input from my last post. I put the Rega Apollo ($1000) vs the Musical Fidelity's (A5 @ $2500, A3.5 $1600, X-RAYv3 @ $1000) to him. This was his response:

Sonically, the Apollo is competitive with the A5. Simply no comparison between this and the X-Ray V3, which is still a nice player. The X-Ray V3 and the A3.5 are pretty much the same player save for a different case and a larger power supply. Both compare well against players in that $1500 range, but since the X-Ray V3 is less expensive, that's the one to look at. The Apollo is in a different league of performance, though.

Now if you accept this analysis, the clear choice between these based on price performance is the Apollo. I have read a fair number of oppinions favoring the Naim's over the Apollo, but at significantly higher price points.
http://www.naim-audio.com/products/intro_cd.html

I am debating going the music server route ala Olive or something else in that genre.

Monarchy Model 24 DAC/Line Stage, is a very intriguing design that I would dearly love to audition at around the price suggested by the thread originator. She lists for around $1400 and would need a decent transport to partner with, but that would leave enough money for a good transport and cables.

This thing is very flexible and from what I've read, a genuine masterpiece on sonic grounds.