Best CD player under $2000

I would also suggest Marantz SA-11S3 used for around $2K.

The best CD player under $2000 is a $300 pro grade CD player, like a Tascam, with an optical feed to your favorite DAC.

As a  DAC/Trans
Here is my latest YT upload,, showing off the SEAS Thor speakers,,but also one gets to hear the Cayin CD17, with mod = SPARKSOLAB Descrete opamps + Mundorf Silver caps.
The one thing holding back jmy system is a more open preamp = the Cayin's musicality is limited by the preamp.
The cayin CD19 mark 2 is avaliable has a   rectifier tube, other than that the board looks identical to the Mark1.
later on next year i will order the Primaluna tube CDP. @ $3K.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_Y9WRTjl9c

Used Ayre?

I concur with many of the above replies, but I would throw a marker in for the recommendation of any of the Oppo's ending in a 5.  With one big BUT (no pun intended), send it to Ric Shultz at EVS and let him do his magic to it.  He is an artist!