CD player suggestions...

@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?

A 18ga. PC is rediculous. Most any decent PC of larger guage would make an improvement. Given the cost differential between generic 18 vs 14 guage PCs I always wonder why manufactures of even budget components wuold ship with a 18 ga one.  I have seen it even with integrated amplifiers.

I would stay away from the Emotiva player. I would go with Marantz or Yamaha if a CD player is what you want.

The Audiolab and Cambridge transports are not CD players. They require a DAC. I believe this to be a good way to go, transport and DAC, just want to make sure you understand this. It can be done within your budget. More money will be spent on the transport. A budget DAC from Schiit Audio would likely be as good as those in players within budget. An inexpensive DAC could be replaced at a later date if you desired.

@jayctoy Yes I am sure that at their price points both the Yamaha and the Marantz sound wonderful. I recently purchased a Music Fidelity 2scd as an open box item for $900. It is a player that has coax, toslink, and USB inputs so serves as a stand alone DAC.  I find this player also to be wonderful at the same price point. CD only not SACD. The MF generally retains at a higher price point than the OP's budget.