2nd system dedicated cdp: $500 Build quality a +

Just a bit more than your budget, perhaps, but worth it - a used Arcam Alpha 9 CD player. It's an excellent player.

An advantage of the New Tube 4000 is the ability to upgrade, including to an upsampler.

I would second the Music Hall. Exceptional build quality, and I think it has a vintage/retro look.

NAD C541i is a good inexpensive choice. Great sound, rave reviews. HDCD, good all around CDP. Under $250 used. TAS even made it a recommended product for 2 years in a row at that price point.

Really, a good choice. Build quality looks great, and I've never known one to have problems, but there have been some DOA after 2 years complaints. But many more folks swear they've had years and years of trouble free use.

Audio Refinement is actually YBA's "budget" line although Classe has some really nicely built CD players in their line up too. The CDP-1 is like a tank.