The adjectives "good" and "best" don't mean anything specific. They are not quantifiable. Subjectively, "good" to you might be "bad" to me or someone else.
Modern electronics, including CD players and DACs, which are designed and manufactured competently, do not have a "sound". IOW, they neither sound good nor bad. They simply pass the signal on to the amp or speakers ..... accurately
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This is not to say that there are no electronics that exhibit inaccurate characteristics. There certainly are. Some manufacturers pander to these audiophiles, producing units that have an inaccurate sound that some people find pleasing. Some of these audiophiles find accurate electronics (and more accurate speakers) to sound "bad". There is really nothing wrong with that ...... as long as the units that perform less accurately are not touted as being more accurate, and especially as more accurate for people other than the original listener. Some people have been known to do that. Everyone has their own goal; for some it is accuracy and for others it is ..... something else.
Other electronic units are designed poorly, due to various factors including cost restrictions and, possibly, lack of integrity. The units you cited would certainly not be in that category.
Regarding the Hi-Fi Choice tests: one of the problems with listening tests is that they MIGHT not be conducted under conditions of rigorous control. If it's true that there were no controls other than a cloth screen for the magazine tests, then the results of the test would be highly questionable. Care in setting up a double-blind test for an owner, in their own home, is even more critical. All cues as to the identity of the DUT need to be eliminated, and that may be more difficult in an owner's home than it is in a room where reviewers audition unknown devices.
Jim