AA Capitole Mk II - what the evaluaions brought?


Do you have any comments on the sound of a new AA Capitole?
I suppose some units are already well broken-in(?).
mrgigi
I completely agree with Jtinn. I formerly had a Sonic Frontiers T3/P3 combination with NOS tubes (a former $14,000 combo)that I replaced with the new AA Capitole. Out of the box, the AA did not have the resoltution, bass impact or definition or the focus of the T3/P3. (Yes, out of the box is an unfair comparison, so no critical listening or judgments were made at the time).

As the AA burned in, EVERYTHING improved. However, the bass went from a little tubby and non-impactful, to deep, taught and powerful. I now have had the AA running 24/7 for a little over 2 weeks and it is stunning. It now has great bass, fabulous resolution and focus as well as the least digital glare of any Redbook player or combo I have heard.

I must concur with all of the AA owners who have lauded its analog like sound. I have some issues with the tracking ability and the cheesy remote, but the sound will make you forget about those problems (even if the price won't).
I can only echo what has been said here. My unit is at about the 150 hour mark and i can still hear it improve. It has amazing detail and transparency, and yet is very 'easy listening' and lets you glide through the music. It is unlike any digital experience i have ever had. For the record, ive owned Bow Tech, Wadia, Meridian, Electrocompaniet and Accuphase and have always felt the need to upgrade. I don't have this feeling anymore, because this CD Player gives me everything i was looking for. Sure it has its occasional operational quirks, which are undoubtedly abnormal for such an expensive player. But when you listen to that CD spin all that just goes out through the window and you don't care.
I was under the impression that the 2 MKIIs were prototypes that belonged to Tenor according to what I was told, therefore those were not really the final product and probably are not what the real Mccoy should sound like.As an Audio Aero dealer, also the break in time is long but the sound does continue to improve.
I was under the impression that the 2 MKIIs were prototypes that belonged to Tenor according to what I was told, therefore those were not really the final product and probably are not what the real Mccoy should sound like.As an Audio Aero dealer, also the break in time is long but the sound does continue to improve.
I am a Dealer for Audio Aero. I have had my Capitole MK2 player for a few weeks now and running in repeat 24/7. so far I have tried running it direct with Airtight ATM-2 mono amps, and Wyetech Onyx mono amps driving Ensemble speakers. since I have owned every version of this player over the past few years I can say that the new MK2 is much improved in every area of sound quality as well as build quality. this past weekend I inserted the Wyetech Jade preamp and heard another level of performance over running the Capitole direct. theres no question that using a good active linestage can improve the sound of this already superb sounding player. for a one box CD player the Capitole MK2 is up there with the best in the world. but don't be mistaken that properly matched seperates can still take you another level above.