I felt the same as you before trying HQplayer. As all other resampling software sucks IMO. This is exactly why Roon chose to integrate HQplayer, rather than making their own filters/modulators internally like Jriver.
That is more or less why I have shifted almost entirely to native hi rez recordings (most in Mch) for the past 8 years or so. I have not tried HQPlayer for further upsampling or conversion to DSD. I do not see or hear the urgent need. Also, I consider DSP Room EQ and bass management plus speaker distance compensation, all relying on PCM, absolutely indispensable. Stereo CD, while still huge in the marketplace, is just not something I am still interested in. I have plenty of enjoyable recordings - thousands - natively recorded in hi Rez Mch. So, fine tuning stereo CD audio performance is something I shrug my shoulders about. I doubt HQ player or similar tools would have as much useful effect on hi Rez source material.
Also, I am quite happy with JRiver as a library manager and player. It, unlike many other tools, helps greatly in the very difficult task of maintaining a classical music library. Actually, its rich features have also enabled me to also eliminate my Mch prepro, my disc player and my TV cable box from my system, which is now PC plus NAS feeding my DAC, amps and speakers, plus TV monitor, too. The result is simplified, but I would be lying if I said it was easy to do, first time, though it is manageable for even a senior dude like me. But, compared to many pricey stereo setups before that, I am sonically happier than I ever dreamed I would be.