best sub- 1000 Transport, new or used

I'm not sure that the DVD transport might not be OK. EAD has been in the business a long time and has been improving on other designs for years.
Thata discovered years ago the tremendous advantage of using a laser disc player as a CD transport. (I think they still make one that now also plays DVD's.) Then EAD came along and improved on the design with the T-7000 and 8000 transports (they are identical in quality for CD's). I personally have been using the T-7000 for my transport since they 1st came on the market. I find that in my $60+K system it has been wonderful! Over the years, I have changed everything except that.

If I'm not mistaken, your EAD has 24/96 dac's???...the only way you'll really be able to take advantage of the better processing (even with standard 16/44 cd's) is to use a DVD players 24/96 digital passing capablities (note all dvd players don't pass full 24/96!..but can be modified by MSB to do so). You should probably look at some of the better Theta Transports/dvd players. They make very good transports as a general rule (or rather use good transports), and should all pass 24/96! I find the 24/96 processing, even if you do mostly 16/44 cd's, is a major improvement fundamentally, and sonically, and should be accessed if you've got em!...

If your DAC has a Delta Sigma chip, the best buy is at Best Buy. It is an Aiwa CD Changer for $89. Fine out of the box, but search for threads on Stan Warren. He can modify the Aiwa for $150 and make it a killer transport.