Most DVD players are designed to play back DVDs as a primary source. Pretty much the vast majority will pass PCM at the DVD-V bitstream at 48k hz vs. the PCM sampling rate of 44.1k. They tend to be designed to pass a digital signal into a receiver for example. The DACs in a rec'r are designed for HT and most of the time drag the signal thru the DSP circuitry. I'm not sure how your listening tests were done and whether you listeded to both DVD and CD players via an analog connection in an analog direct mode. I have still found that CD players sound better to me in general.
http://www.olive.us makes one for $900 but I'm not sure if it would suit your needs. I tend to see positive comments about the sound (I've never heard them) and also comments that it is pricey for what you get. Did you ever consider buying a used or new DAC and a PC or laptop?
http://www.gr-research.com/components/lite_dacs.htm has the DAC-60 which seems to get good comments at $470. They have cheaper DACs too but I have not seen comments about them. Some DACs even have a digital in and out for recording. Getting something at that price point or less with a computer, unless you had a space problem, would seem like getting a decent bang for the buck. There are other DACs I've seen good comments about that are not horribly priced too.