Very airy sounding player under 1K used?

I see a vacuum tube pre-amp and tube output stage cd player in your future.

No solid state pre/cd combo will deliver the goods in the air department. For digital to have "air" it must at the very least pass thru a transparent tube pre-amp.

Hope that clears it up.

I am strongly considering the musical fidelity A5, as of now.

I owned an MF A5 for several years. You certainly are on target with that pick. Bass is very taught, tuneful, rhythmic with a good dose of dynamic contrasts. Plenty airy, with a deep layered soundstage.

Good luck

DECWARE ZCD CD Player. This is a highly moded Tascam 160 mk2 with class a tube output and tube power supply with detacable ac.
Just type in Decware and you can see potos about it.
A really transparent machine wit alot of top end air.