Numerous manufacturers make excellent CD player + integrated amplifier combinations that are superbly satisfying, at various price points.

The January issue of Stereophile has a review of the Quad CD-P which has a pre-amp/volume control functionality. However, the quality of the variable output is middling. The other players you list are beyond my price range and I have no experience with them.

Definitely not without choices in your quest for a simpler, digital source only system.

The very good and simple enough to operate Arcam Solo. See Art Dudley's review.

Art's review of the Solo.

There's also the Audio Analogue Enigma hybrid all-in-one...

However, none of these meets our Anonymous poster's ~ 120wpc requirement(?).

Check out the Wes Phillips review in Jan issue of the Quad Cd player. If you are thinking used, you might check on EBay for a Sony CDP-XA1ES. I sold mine about 1 1/2 years ago and it was a decent player that had fixed and variable out that also controlled the headphone level. New it sold for about $275 I think. Should sell today in good condition for about $75.

The only problem you might have running the cd directly into the amp is likely to be that you don't get as much gain and you might with a preamp. But you'll likely get enough volume anyway.

If you know what it will take in terms of power to bring the amp to full power you can do this. Most CD players with variable outs put out about 2volts. If your power amp can be brought to full power with that or less then you have a good chance of hearing some great sound. I use my SET amp in this fashion frequently. Very open and airy.