A Low Cost Pleasant Sounding Used CD Player?

I hate say it, but at a recent CD player shootout, the cheap $69 unit competed with. The more expensive units. YMMV

I like the Rega CD Players. They're top loading, so you could use a Herbies CD mat with it.

I have been able to listen to a few CD's of the same models, produced in Japan and Sold as a Japanese Brand CDP or as a British Brand Sold under the guise the Product is produced in the UK?

Where the demo's of these CDP's has been of interest, is I have heard them A/B Compared as a OEM Model and Modified Model.

I can only state, that a Modified Model has been a standout for the improvements that have been created, a particular Sony Modified CDP was the go to CDP on many a listening session when at the home of the individual doing modifications.

At a later date, a Standalone Bespoke Built Valve DAC was used with the OEM Sony CDP and compared to the same Model undergone modifications. The situation of old immediately changed the OEM Sony through the DAC outshone the other CDP with immediacy. The modifier was quite shocked , but quite pleased to have learned a very easy solution to advance in performance quality an Olden Era CDP.  

I had a couple NAD CD players and have enjoyed them over the years. The last one I had was C 525 BEE. You should be able to pick up one pretty inexpensively.

If you just need a transport, I would not worry about which model; "the sound" of a digital reader is beyond comical. 

As you are budget-constrained, I would focus on gap-less playing (may depend a bit on what you listen to), regardless of whether it is a CD player (with internal DAC) or transport-only. If you like price-look-formfactor of something you see, check reviews re gapless playing. Most CD players have a digital out (check!), so if you want to maximize flexibility down the road, maybe get CD player and use digital out to your DAC.

Another thing to consider is that a "transport" by its very nature is "audiophile" targeted, therefore, likely overpriced for what it is. On second hand market, there are WAY more CD players than transports, which will also have effect on price/value.