Hi,
Your cd player sounds best with balanced (xlr) cables. For the money the Ayre K5/V5 would be nice. Although not balanced, the Hovland HP200/Radia would be even more musical. Later I would exchange the CX7 to a D1x, which has absolutely no grain.
for cables I would go for NBS and decoupling Stillpoints.
your speakers deserve it!
Have fun.