I just realized I've been completely stupid for the last week or so, I had my W 60's hooked up out of phase (Was cord swapping too eagerly and problably hooked them up wrong by accident). I guess that would explain why I was looking for other options player wise, I couldn't figure out why I was unhappy with the sound I was getting
After correcting the issue I've revisted the stock player and did some serious A/Bing with Poweramp Alpha, While I still like Poweramp very much, I think the stock player has the edge sound wise, vocals are much more natural sounding, I would say the soundstage is deeper as well, there's also a general warmth with the sound of the stock player. The overall tonality was just more alive.
I found Poweramp's soundstage to be a bit wider, but I also found the sound to be more technical sounding, lacking the mid bass warmth of the stock player. This can actually be a good thing for over produced Pop Music. You can lessen the boom of "in the red" production. The vocals are what made me come back to the stock player though, I felt power amp to be a little dry in that department, I guess it depends on what you're looking for in terms of sound production.
If I were to simplify it I'd say:
Stock Player = Warmer Tube like sound (Feel the Music)
Poweramp Alpha = Technical Solid State like sound (Think about the Music)
Both are great but sony keeps surprising me with their attention to detail on this unit. How great is it that we have to option to be neurotic and try third party players?