best CD player or DAC under $1000

Jolida JD100 with NOS tubes.

Tube Research Labs modded Sony ES2000 might be worth a look for you.
I think you can get one for around $800 including unit and the mod.
Good luck in your search.

I agree with Lkdog, the TRL/Sony C2000ES is a very special player.

The sound is very addictive ...

Museatex Bitstream can be bought completely modified for around that much. I doubt there is any DAC out there that sounds better in the similar price range.

I have Music Hall CD25 modified by Sound Odyssey. It's a performance stage 2 upgrade. Sounds very good. I think it is musical enough in my system. You may want to check it out. They have 30 day return policy. Modified player is only $845 including shiping. Oh, and I compared it directly to Marantz SA-8260 and if I was blind folded, I wouldn't tell the difference. Marantz player is also an SACD unit, but Music Hall will only play cd and hdcd. But it does it very well. Marantz is about $1000 I think. Another suggestion is DAC-1 by Benchmark. Read great things about it, but unfortunately have no experience to share. Good lluck.