CD's here about 95% unless a vinyl recording brings more quality. Some older CD's sound like they were dubbed from 8-track. Yet I too am on the chase the best CD playback. Therefore I'm keen to hear the above discussion. Streaming is hopeless in my location due to crappy download speeds. Still need excuse to get out of my chair every hour or so. Presently using Audiolab 6000 and Nuprime 9SE DAC which I bought as demo/open box from audio advisors as a temporary fill in as I look for my forever player. (Which is elusive) If I could have back all the money I've wasted on CD players I could buy whatever I would want. I sure most of us could say the same! I disceved myself in thinking the $3500 Yamaha would do me. And for an all in one its probably about as good as it can get. But this Audiolab Nuprime combo completely shames it. No dah, separates always will rule. I'm a slow learner and have paid royally for it. Watching carefully this discussion to see which unit is kept until dusty and which gets returned. Break changes can be hell.