CDPs are so 80's. Parts suppliers have followed the market and moved chip/drive/laser production from CD to DVD, etc., spelling the end for most sub $1,000 USD CDPs. Most audiophiles in this price range are being forced into using cheap universal players as transports and adding a nice DAC.
For $300 you could get a wireless Squeeze Box that adds internet radio, a quality digital volume control, options for remote listening elsewhere in the house, and major convenience (once you've ripped). If you're not PC savy or want your audio system to stand free of a PC (except for internet audio streaming), the Olive units are in your price range. They add a CDP, hard drive, ease of use, and more convenience. Either has sound quality beyond the asking price (considering too that you may want HD backups).
Both can be modded for even better sound, but all the mods I've found will reduce output from 2.0 v to 1.1 v (a definite consideration with a passive pre-amp). And both have digital outputs so you can add your own DAC instead of modding. Either way, you could have world class sound and save thousands.
I had a modded Squeeze Box 3, loved it when everything worked, but am not computer savy and am "hostage" to a family network that kept giving problems. So I went back (yes I said back as in backwards) to a fully modded Ah! Tjoeb 4000. The 4000 is plenty nice enough, but steps behind the SB3 in terms of sound quality, convenience, and features. But I know that this is my last CDP.
