The GNSC upgrades will make the unit sound more musical, detailed, and coherent, and will not be 'in your face' at all. In fact, I think that Steve removes much of the grain and edge that many feel is Wadia's downfall.
Bottom line is that anything you can do to upgrade your CD player will be worthwhile. My suggestion is to do it in 2 stages. When you are ready to be without your CD player for up to a couple months, send it in to Steve and have him upgrade it to the 861SE with his best modifications. It will be expensive, but get it done at one time if you can. You don't want to be shipping the unit more than necessary. If you don't have the money or aren't willing to be without your CD player at this time, then look into a power cord, a power conditioner, and a stand if you don't have these things already. Although expensive, the Elrod Statement II on the 27ix is absolutely amazing and I suspect it would probably be the same on the 860. The Shunyata Hydra is also worth investigating.
Rob
Bottom line is that anything you can do to upgrade your CD player will be worthwhile. My suggestion is to do it in 2 stages. When you are ready to be without your CD player for up to a couple months, send it in to Steve and have him upgrade it to the 861SE with his best modifications. It will be expensive, but get it done at one time if you can. You don't want to be shipping the unit more than necessary. If you don't have the money or aren't willing to be without your CD player at this time, then look into a power cord, a power conditioner, and a stand if you don't have these things already. Although expensive, the Elrod Statement II on the 27ix is absolutely amazing and I suspect it would probably be the same on the 860. The Shunyata Hydra is also worth investigating.
Rob