I currently have a Audio Research Reference CD9SE as my DAC. It is a tubed CD player / DAC. It is the best sounding DAC I have heard. I don’t bother listening to CDs any more as streaming sounds as good, usually better although I own 2,000 CDs.
However, I read reviews on both the DACs… I mean CD players you are considering. To me the design and review of sounds point to the tubed ayon cd-10 ii to be a better sounding unit. It is a more contemporary tube design and is very well reviewed,