Reference disc player...UDP 205 or Marantz?

It's not snobery rather opinion based on experience I offer. I own the Marantz and Oppo 105 with some mods. The OPPO is a superb video player. The Marantz and OPPO sound different and are both nothing special as CD players. Expand your search. For example, you buy far better quality and performance machines  when you buy a used bel canto CD2, PL2 or PL-1 or Woo Audio transport and DAC.  I own them too. There are no doubt other better CD playback options. Experience based opinion and suggestions not snobery. All the best with your selection decisiion.. Namaste. 

I recently purchased the Oppo UDP-205 to use strictly for a modest SACD collection.  It does not decode HDCD which is disappointing, but I suppose it's to keep costs down.  A friend and I compared an Oppo BDP-95 with a Cambridge CXU with the Oppo UDP-205 for SACD and the 205 wins hands down.  On SACD it is superb.
However, I feel the 205 is sadly lacking in CD playback.  I presently use a Cambridge CXC transport and Benchmark DAC2 for CD's and am very impressed with the sound quality.  Probably the error correction on the transport makes a huge difference.
Am wondering if anyone else has experience with the Cambridge CXC transport and what DAC it is coupled with.

Firstgrowth...That's at the center of my question. Does oppo really live up to its hype, and can you really find a world beating disc player for such a low price?
Or is marantz still the better choice?

Gcp...you own the marantz 14s1?

I have been enjoying my PS Audio DirectStream DAC + transport, connected with an I2S (HDMI) cable and to my ears, the best digital I've ever heard.

I'm going to find out if it lives up to the hype.  I figure $1300 isn't crazy money and Oppo offers a 30 day money back policy.  If I hate it, it goes back.  If it's really really good I'll live with it for a while and see if I want to have it modded.