My latest upgrade

NAD 514. Resolution is low compared to what I have come to appreciate, but it's sunny disposition was always appreciated. Available used for about $200.

The Bel Canto DAC/Pioneer DVD transport could be a good option. Used $1,000.

One I have never heard, but always heard good things about is the Resolution Audio CD50.

Not that you asked, but if a high resolution CD source is not super important to you, I think your $1,000 budget spent on the NAD 514, Zero autoformers www.zeroimpedance.com between amp and speakers, and Ganymede VCS roller bearings www.ganymusic.com under your source, would produce SERIOUSLY good results.

Rega Planet - we are a lot like the store Basement goes into. We have several other CD players in the same price range as the Planet but the Planet seems to outsell the others quite substantially and ends up in most of the demo systems we put together for the listening rooms. I think it's a serious bargain.

Add some ACME Audio cryo treated power outlets to my last recommendation for even better results and still stay under a $1,000. The NAD has a coaxial output for use with a stand alone DAC down the road.

I'm about to try an NAD C541i in a friend's entry-level ARC Integrated and Spendor SP3/1P system ($3k total). Hope it's successful. Several dealers have suggested that this $400 street price CDP is the clear winner under $1k. We'll see.
Ern

If you spend less than 50% of what the Manley cost you your not getting the sound the Manleys can deliver. Garbage in garbage out.
Sorry people but a NAD 514 is like buying a porchse and putting a Volks engine in it.