MUSE Erato II - Anyone using this player?

Tim..Tough call..Muse is terribly unappreciated and rarely reviewed. Lamm has an incredible following though, so it sounds like you can't lose.
If you go to the Erato, I think you'll be very happy. What is it replacing? What are your speakers?
I did speak with Kevin about the Polyhymnia vs the Erato II. He said the Erato was much better and newer design...Bob

Bob,
Currently,
Lector CDP 7TL MkIII player,
Lamm LL2 Deluxe or Muse Model 3 Signature preamp,
Clayton M300 amps (300/600 wpc @8/4 ohms Class A),
Aerial 9 speakers
The Lector is very nice, so I cannot go wrong there either. I guess I had visions of an all SS front end that would give me the same level of enjoyment as my tubed CDP and preamp, but that would be easier to operate, with more features, and that could stay turned on all the time. Have you heard the Model 3 Sig, and did Kevin discuss that as an option when you were looking at the attenuation module on the Erato II?

I have not heard the Sig 3. Kevin was suggesting the attenuator module and never said anything about other options.
Do you need a preamp for vinyl. or will you be digital only?
Tough call on the tube and SS comparison. I was usually a SS guy, but Edge made me look at SS very differently. It is the most relaxing, mellow and powerful combination I've ever heard. None of the SS fatigue I used to get.

My SS Clayton monos are also amps that transcend the old SS vs. tubes debate. You know you are not listening to tubes, but you focus more on their strengths than on what you are giving up by not having tubes. They do not have quite the (larger than real?) body of my former hybrid Lamm M1.1's but they do bass, drive, clarity and high frequencies better, while still providing better body and dimensionality than most SS. I like using a preamp simply because I like the sound vs. a passive, I perceive more drive and depth to the music with a preamp. I assume Kevin's attenuator module is simply a passive attenuator? I maybe should e-mail them and learn more. Unfortunate, but a more informative website with better pictures and descriptions would probably be enough to increase their sales. IMO, Lamm is one example of a Mfg with an excellent and totally informative website.

I agree with you about Muse. I've been told that Kevin is close to a recluse, and really doesn't want to grow the company. If you get him exchanging email directly with you, you will learn everything you need to know.
I think that his attenuator stage is active, but not positive.
Also, if you go to google and look up Muse you will find a dealer that handles Muse. Scot Markwell (former reviewer and I think Harry Pearson's assitant in set up) will talk to you about Muse products.