Looking at your system, I think unless you go to an MBL or similar DAC you will be disappointed in the sound quality from any digital file. As far as the mechanism I have not really ever heard it discussed at length, it is the format that is usually the point of discussion, with WAV, FLAC and AppleLossless being the prevelent formats. I have used Applelossless after ripping to the harddrive off of my HP computer. My sound, from AppleTV into a DAC, is better than any disc player I have had, but I have not had the same players you have had. I wouldn't give up the disc player until you hear the results.
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