In the other thread you started on this same question you had a poster who mentioned the Toshiba HD DVD player and you then replied that your priority is music.
I've read maybe 3000 posts in the AVS Forums on the HD DVD player and many posters have said the player is extraordinary for CD playbacks. This player, the HD-A1, is in your price limit and I would buy one to try it out. Most merchants have a 30 return policy...
BTW, I will receive mine early next week.