help a Die hard ANALOG guy choose a budget CDP

@fjn04  I'm responding because of the  heading "die hard analog guy".  I am enchanted by the sound of LPs as well.  I had been using a $1600 Arcam CD player but found myself suffering from listening fatigue on a regular basis.  I started reading a lot about disc spinners.  I read forum posts, user reviews and professional reviews trying to find a path to a more analog sounding disc player.  After all of that research, I concluded that Marantz was the way to go.  

Marantz was on the verge of releasing a new model at the time, the SA-8005 SACD player.  Its predecessor, the 8004, was very well regarded.  The new model was to incorporate more circuit features of the Marantz reference line so I took a leap of faith and ordered the 8005 before it even arrived in the USA.  Fortunately when its arrived, I brought it home and let it play around the clock for weeks.  I placed the same Herbie Audio Lab Tenderfeet under it and began more intensive listening.  It was all I had hoped for and more.  Gone is that upper midrange "hash" that overlaid the music through the Arcam.  The frequency balance is great.  Where it surpassed my expectations was in its soundspace openness. I remain totally satisfied and will listen to a CD or LP for the music I want to hear not the format.

Good luck with your quest.

When I read your post I thought of the Marantz SA-8005. Hifiman beat me to it. I have heard it however don't own one. Would if I was looking for a CDP in your budget for the reasons stated by hifiman. Has a smooth warm sound yet detailed enough for my tastes.

I own a Rega Apollo R and a McCormack CDP, both sound very good to me and are in your price range.
I would also think about a DAC. I reentered HIFI after a 30 hiatus, using streaming music was the last thing on my mind, but, low and behold, I am listening to it every day.