I used to run a Levinson 39 directly into my VT-100 Mk-I.
It was a solid player but don't really remember much "magic" coming out of my Audio Artistry Dvoraks.
Can't blame the 39 altogether as the AA's weren't the best match with the ARC (they really sang with 2 BEL 1001 Mk-V's, however).
The best digital I've heard (aside from dcs and the new Audio Aero player at 2004 CES) has been from Theta.