I went with the Innuos Zen Mk3. It will be shipped out tomorrow. I like the cd ripping capabilities too. Can you use it as a cd transport?
Congrats! AFAIK the drive is only there to rip CDs into storage. I haven’t used the cable and was just going on other’s enthusiastic feedback here, but past that — and as always with cables — it’ll depend on what sound characteristics you’re looking for so maybe read some reviews of brands like Wireworld, AudioQuest, Audience, DH Labs, etc. and go from there. If you go with the CAT 8 cable I’d get the 22 gauge and wouldn’t worry too much about ground loops, and even if you do have a problem you can easily just return it to Amazon.