Audiolab 8200CDQ

So far I rate the build quality very high for the price point but the cd tray is average. My goal is to set up a network drive and stream with my laptop (slowly rip my cd's plus losless), The cd tray is certainly no worse than any other $1 - $2K CDP I've owned. It sounds a lot better than my Rotel RCD1520. It's rather heavy for its size and the controls are top quality. the user manual is very extensive as there's a LOT you can do with this unit. I have not had the chance to use the USB, which is where this unit is supposed to shine. Hopefully in about a week i will have experienced 24 bit. The way I look at this unit is that the engineering that went into it, along with the features, makes it the best in its price point by a long shot. John Westlake said it's his best so far and he engineered the DAC for Peachtree. If you're spending under 2 grand, I would seriously consider it.

Afranta - sorry I didn't fully answer your question. I will let you know about the software. As far as I know, that's all been worked out. I'm not too concerned about the transport. The technology that went into jitter control on this unit you could keep it on top of your washing machine. It took me awhile to figure out why this was reviewed so well and if all these reviewers were just pals with John Westlake. I think the real deal is that it's just a cutting edge machine at a great deal. For me, it's a 2 year gig in my system. I will not part with my Rogue or my Harbeths, but a source is something that's renting space in my home and it will always be that way.

Thanks, Donjr. Your very informative posts have me thinking that I should reconsider the CDQ!

Audiojedi. Do you keep the volume on the 8200 all the way up and control the volume through your pre amp or integrated?

I've been experimenting with the USB today. I put some 24 bit music that my son has (Michael Jackson Thriller....no laughing) onto my network drive and I'm streaming with my laptop using Foobar 2000. This is all totally new to me. The Audiolab's owners manual is well written yet very intimidating to me because the unit can do so much.