I second the recommendation for the XA777ES NEW from Oade for under $2000. I bought this player because I wanted SACD (I'm into classical and jazz, and felt SACD offered the best reproduction of acoustical instruments), but also because I refused to pay that much for a player and not get outstanding CD playback, as I have many older classical (especially) CDs.
I bought it on the reviews which said its CD playback was excellent, and indeed it is--word has it that the XA777 upsamples CD playback. I can't tell for certain whether this is true or not, but I CAN say that my CDs sound much better than I've ever heard them. The digititis is largely removed from all but the most poorly recorded CDs.
Of course, there are many other excellent choices out there for the money. I've heard the Arcams only with a speaker-based setup (not headphone-based), but what I heard I liked. I would really recommend that you consider what TOTAL system you intend to listen to with the player, including amp, speaker/headphone, etc. All players are different to some degree in their strengths and weaknesses, and all of this is HIGHLY dependent on your personal tastes in sound. As Vertigo said, do lots of research (which you're obviously doing in posting this thread), but be sure to seek out these players if possible and audition them live (listen!)
Good luck!