Thank you all very much, I borrowed a model nine sig. gen 3 overnight (thanks Tim!) and I certainly prefer it to the Sony. It is the sort of component that makes you question your other components so good are its virtues. What I mean is that at first I was thinking the Muse was a little light in mid/upper character but now I wonder if it is my speaker wire or maybe the lower bass was a little soft but I know my amp needs new tubes. It holds its own with my other beloved components and I would not put one above the other between my Trente speakers or the Soro SE amplifier.
Talk about pulling out and listening to old discs! From what I rememeber, on a different system, the Muse reminds me of the Meridian 508/24 though a guess would be the Meridian is less open and more colored especially in the bass. I think the Muse is very neutral with excellent soundstaging and very detailed without hitting you over the head with information and no exaggeration of the high end in substitute for detail. Subtle nuances that make you think of the real performance are in abundance. This one is a keeper.
all the best,
Phil
Talk about pulling out and listening to old discs! From what I rememeber, on a different system, the Muse reminds me of the Meridian 508/24 though a guess would be the Meridian is less open and more colored especially in the bass. I think the Muse is very neutral with excellent soundstaging and very detailed without hitting you over the head with information and no exaggeration of the high end in substitute for detail. Subtle nuances that make you think of the real performance are in abundance. This one is a keeper.
all the best,
Phil