I had a Sony DVP-S7700 that was mod'd specifically for Transport duties. Personally, the Cary CD-308 and Theta Miles that I owned at the same time smoked the mod'd Sony when used as a transport. In my system the Sony made my digital front end sound like, well, a Sony DVD player. It was tonally OK, but the soundstage narrowed to a point between the speakers and it just didn't have an zip to it.
To each his own!
Enjoy,
TIC
To each his own!
Enjoy,
TIC