I think your reasoning is sound and you are looking at some of the best suspects in your stated price range. I do not agree with Mechans comments in these ways: 1) I own a Music Hall CD 25.2 (stock) and an Arcam CD23. They are not in the same league. The Arcam is in my main rig and the MH is in the BR which is not about to change. His description of the Arcam does not match my ears or experience. The Arcam is the most analogue sounding player I have heard in your price range and I feel it has a very good soundstage. I had already switched to a tubed pre when I got the Arcam (which replaced an Audio Alchemy player, DAC and DTI setup). I understand from others the Arcam may be a bit bright and forward in an all SS setup. I just do not hear the digital glare with the Arcam that I do with the Music Hall (my BR system is all tube seperates except the CD player so yes the glare is from the MH). I have not heard an Apollo, which I would love to AB against the Arcam or hear from those who have. I have heard the Arcam vs the much more expensive T+A player in my system which was better but at 4x to 5x the price.
2) In my experience again when I went from a SS pre to a tubed pre and this made a huge difference in the soundstage, width and depth. Prior to that I had upgraded my speaker cables and interconnects which also improved soundstage. I have changed in a tube amp to my system but there was no real difference in soundstage. The power amp going tube from SS would be one of the last things I would be looking for help with sounstage, unless you are going way up in quality and money. BTW, I have also have had a Denon 2910 and a 3910 in my main system as well. Neither sound better to me than the Arcam. FWIW, YMMV.
Another consideration might be a good used 2910 with a used Bel Canto DAC2-probably $1000 to $1100 for both. Both are good values right now on the used market.
2) In my experience again when I went from a SS pre to a tubed pre and this made a huge difference in the soundstage, width and depth. Prior to that I had upgraded my speaker cables and interconnects which also improved soundstage. I have changed in a tube amp to my system but there was no real difference in soundstage. The power amp going tube from SS would be one of the last things I would be looking for help with sounstage, unless you are going way up in quality and money. BTW, I have also have had a Denon 2910 and a 3910 in my main system as well. Neither sound better to me than the Arcam. FWIW, YMMV.
Another consideration might be a good used 2910 with a used Bel Canto DAC2-probably $1000 to $1100 for both. Both are good values right now on the used market.