I use three players for different purposes, an Ayre C-5xeMP for stereo, a Sony XA5400ES for surround, and an Oppo 105D for HT. The Ayre goes through a Parasound JC 2 to JC 1 mono blocks to KEF 107/2s; the Sony and Oppo go via HDMI through a Bryston SP3, the front LR of which is passed through the JC 2 to access the JC 1s. Of the three, only the Ayre makes CDs sound great.