This is a very tough question. I struggled with universal options before picking up that McCormack UDP-1... After returning it, I'm back to a two-box solution.
The three things that are very difficult with universal players are:
1. Picture Quality
2. SACD and DVD-A audio quality
3. Redbook CD Playback.
For me, #3 was far more important than 1 and 2. I have thousands of Redbook CDs, and the current future holds many more in the Redbook format. DVD-A and SACD are for all intents and purposes disappearing off the consumer's radar, so Redbook is what we're left with until BluRay and HD-DVD fight it out in the marketplace. I found it very difficult to find a universal that fulfilled my needs with Redbook playback; I have heard the Denon 5800 and 2900, and recently the 2910, and none have really been acceptable for one reason or another. (this would be compared to a Redbook player of similar price).
Additionally, I haven't found one that excels with ALL formats. The McCormack was great at Redbook CD and DVD-A, but I felt it's SACD qualities (with my admittedly small collection) weren't all that impressive. This is a notable thing to mention because as I recall the Denon 2910 is known for good SACD but subpar DVD-A (IIRC that is what TAS reported recently). Do you want to listen to 24-bit taper music with this player?
A few years ago I did a 24-bit DAC shootout with my own recordings fed via a Pioneer Elite DV-37 to each DAC. I couldn't find a DAC within spitting range of a grand that when fed the 24-bit signal "beat" my bud's Wadia 850 playing 16/44 downsample of the same show. Technology has advanced significantly since then--I think DACs are better today than ever. So this might not be as relevant anymore--but is still a truism at some point, as my new Redbook player is far better than any 24 bit material I've ever heard in my home short of my departed dCS. I just want to mention this to get you thinking... Unless you find a truly stellar unit, I think you would be better off with a DVD-P and an excellent Redbook player!
It's a hard thing to wrap your mind around, I mean, 24 bit SHOULD be better than 16/44 right? It's not so simple anymore, and I've been hearing some REALLY good 16/44 lately.
Anyway, no real concrete advice for you here, just random thoughts to consider. I stuck with a two-box solution: my Pioneer DV-37 for video duties (and as a 24-bit transport to my new CDP which has 24/96 DAC capability) and my Simaudio Moon Eclipse LE for music. In the future, when HD-DVD and BluRay shake out, I plan on buying a 2nd gen or so player for my Video and (hopefully!) HD audio needs.
Why do you have 25' of cables? That is certainly not an ideal run--I'd feel ok with 25' of balanced IC's, but not video, and certainly not audio. I understand if the domestic situation requires this... Sometimes there's nothing we can do.