Help me choose new digital player

I am in the process of upgrading my entire music system and would appreciate recommendations for my digital play back unit. I presently have a stock Sony SCD 777ES.
It is a fine player but I know there have been major improvements since I first purchased this unit.

I am presently considering a couple of options. I could keep the 777ES and have it modded. If so, I would then want to know which mod program would produce the most significant improvement.

Secondly, I am considering the purchase of a new unit. Digitally, I only listen to two channel red book and SACD but have been reading very favorable reviews on the new AYRE C5xe universal model. I would not likely use the DVD video function but would possibly expand my software collection to include DVD-A softfware.

I'm not inherently against upgrading to separate DAC and Transport units but would probably prefer to stay with a single unit.

The majority of my listening is with vinyl on my SME 20 TT, SME V arm and Shelter 90X.
The rest of my gear consists of Parasound JC-1 mono amps (SS), VAC Standard Pre with phono stage (tube), Proac 2.5 speakers which I will be upgrading shortly with new speakers on order. Acoustic Zen ICs and SCs. My system is in a dedicated listen room with Echo Buster room treatment items.

Thanks,