Recommendations for CDP < $300


I'm new to hifi. Not really an audiophile yet. Inherited a nice older system but the Arcam CD92 player just died. 

I'm currently using an old low end Sony but it really belongs to a basic low end system down at my cabin. I have a couple of books on top of it and sorbothane pads under the feet and I'm okay with the SQ. But, it needs to go back down to my cabin.

Looking at used CD players on eBay, prices are all over the place and I'm a little leery of buying a used low end player which may have been mishandled etc. And even some with low prices have shipping rates that make even the cheap ones not worth the bother.

So now I'm looking at a new one. Prefer sub $300. There are three I'm looking at: Onkyo C-7030 for $200. NAD C538 for $300. It sounds like these two have the same Wolfson DAC. Not sure why the NAD is $100. I've pretty much ruled out a Cambridge CD-10 at $300 because it does not have gap-less play back. I don't listen to a ton of classical but I do some and pauses between classical arrangements would be a deal breaker.

I have noticed that some reviews are claiming newer CDPs sound much better than older CDPs due to improved technology. Not sure if this is true or not. Any reason to prefer new to historically good older models?

Anyway, besides the Onkyo and the NAD are there other sub $300 units I should look at? Anything else I need to consider?

Thanks,
George
n80
I would look for a used Rega Planet 2000 or Rega Saturn.  Made in England smooth, juicy sound.  I owned for years and years.  Loved it.  Only downside is that it is a top loader and needs some overhead clearance to get the CD in and out.  You could upgrade later and use it as a transport.  Rega also makes DACs.  Happy hunting.  
The Onkyo 7030 is an excellent player for the price (I have one that I use for testing when I do repairs to amps). Very reliable and well made. It is perhaps a touch bright in it's delivery, but when you are ready for better, you can always add an external DAC. It is likely your best option. Used players are a crap shoot wrt reliability with the possible exception of the Oppo 103, which I also have. For the extra dollars, the Oppo also supports streaming and SACD playback.
Thank you all for the excellent advice. I'm now starting to reconsider my need for another CD player. I'm fairly content with the Sony (two books on top as recommended here, sorbothane pads underneath).

Was originally going to take it back down to my cabin but since all CDs are now at home I will probably just use iTunes at the cabin on the low end system that is there for casual/background listening.

If the Sony fails (or I get the bug for better SQ) I'll look into the recommendations in this thread. The Sony is light and feels like junk but it has been very reliable so far. It is probably close to 20 years old!
I would consider RIPing your CDs (ALAC or FLAC).  There are any number of ways to stream to your hifi, wired and wireless (a Chromecast Audio can be had for $25).  Try Roon.