Best SACD hookup- multi channel or CD?

I recently acquired a marantz 8260 SACD player and am looking for feedback on the best way to hook it up for sound. Right now, I'm using 3 sets of 8 ft cables through the multichannel inputs for multi channel SACD. No tone control is possible in this configuration. I'm wondering if sound quality may be improved with hooking it up using the CD inputs. what are the pros and cons of each? I tried this when it arrived in a 2nd system to test the player, and was blown away by the sound. the room was much smaller, which could be the difference. thanks!