Looking for a CD player

I think your CD9 has a digital out, so I’d continue to leverage that as a transport and just buy a DAC.  Would be helpful to know what sound characteristics are most important to you and what you’d most like to improve upon, but without that I’ll just mention a couple very different options in your price range that would likely bring significant across-the-board sonic improvements. 

There’s a Bel Canto DAC2.7 on US Audio Mart for $1100, which is less than half the $2495 original retail.  I had one of its predecessors in my system and it was really sublime digital.  Smooth but detailed with good tone and excellent soundstage.  Read the reviews — Bel Canto builds great DACs. 

Not used, but the new Soekris dac2541 ($1299) utilizes R2R technology, which tends to have a very natural and “analog” sound, and also offers several filters so you can custom tailor it toward your own preferences.  Without knowing more about your sonic preferences and goals that’s all I got for now, but hope it helps a little and best of luck. 

+1 soix. I would purchase a DAC. $1500 can purchase a very good one. 

I own the Audio Mirror Tubadour III DAC. It is R2R with a tube output stage. Basic model sells for $1500. In stock form it is very good. It can be upgraded at a later date. USA made. Check out AM on this forum. I also use the Cambridge transport.

Gentlemen,
Thanks a lot for your feedback!Just to put some context to my research.
I am trying to improve the CD performance on all possible aspects.
On the AMC I put in a tube stage (lampizator style), ultra low noise v regulators, much larger caps on the supply and low noise shottky diodeds, external clock module, oscon caps around the DAC. 
I do not necessarily need a CD player per se, especially if I have to chose from units that are in many cases older than the current one.
So I am open to switch to transport + DAC which is definitely more flexible.In any case I would connect to my primaluna dialogue premium integrated, so no need for an embedded preamp.
Cheers - Fabrizio

MHDT DAC Tube R2R   i use this with my Emotiva ERC-4 and with streaming. not fatiguing, musical

Modwright mods upper-end DVD players to very good effect.  I'd contact them to see if they think there's anything currently available that would lend itself to your project.