I may be biased since I have one for sale here on Audiogon, but I don't think you can beat the Classe CDP 1 for under $1K. It uses the same Ultaranalog d/a chip that was used in the highly touted Classe DAC 1. It's kinda like a CDT1 and DAC 1 in one chassis. It weighs over 20 pounds and would also make a solid transport. I used to be into seperates, but since I have gotten back into analog, I realize that seperates didn't make that much of a difference. I've owned Proceed, Krell, Monarchy and Sonic Frontiers seperates, and I can't say they were more musical than the CDP 1. The Classe isn't the most detailed player I've heard, you may find other players more revealing, but for under a grand I don't think you'll find more musical, and the bass reaches ALL the way down. As low as your speakers can go, that's how deep the bass will go.
My current system:
VPI HW-19 MK III w/SAMA, Audioquest PT-6 arm, Dynavector 10X4 mk II and Benz Micro Glider cartridges.
BAT VK-D5SE CD player
Sony DVP-S9000ES DVD/SACD player
Classe CP-60 w/phono preamp
Threshold T400 amp
Vienna Acoustics Strauss speakers
Tara Labs Decade cables
Shunyata Black Mamba, BMI Shark & Whale Elite mk II's, Tara Labs The One power cords
Tara Labs AD/6 and Monster HTS-5000mk II PLC's
(2) 20A dedicated, isolated power lines using PS Audio Power Ports.
My current system:
VPI HW-19 MK III w/SAMA, Audioquest PT-6 arm, Dynavector 10X4 mk II and Benz Micro Glider cartridges.
BAT VK-D5SE CD player
Sony DVP-S9000ES DVD/SACD player
Classe CP-60 w/phono preamp
Threshold T400 amp
Vienna Acoustics Strauss speakers
Tara Labs Decade cables
Shunyata Black Mamba, BMI Shark & Whale Elite mk II's, Tara Labs The One power cords
Tara Labs AD/6 and Monster HTS-5000mk II PLC's
(2) 20A dedicated, isolated power lines using PS Audio Power Ports.