We think that helping you know what you're doing is the best service UHF can render. I have two CD players. Also, I am thinking of bi-amping. I have a Bryston B-60. There's no definitive answer to your question about CD transports and converters, Darryl.
Several factors can affect a transport's suitability.
We have yet to find a convincing one. For that reason, we recommend taking the better of your two CD player with you when you go shopping for a DAC, and compare it to the best transport in the store. Some amplifiers reverse phase, which means that when the input signal is positive the output signal is negative, and vice versa. Others do not. If you mix phase, you'll need to reverse the connections at one of the amplifiers.