Wadia, Audio Aero, Meridian, BAT and BOW

I too have a Capitole 24/192. Makes the 860 sound very lacking in palpability, seeming to just give you the details and not the organic reality. The Capitole is wonderful, but I must admit my Res Audio CD55 comes awfully close for much less money.

Well i have the advantage (for once) of living in France, where the Audio Capitole is built. I can buy it for much les money than US folk :)

Its actually cheaper over here than a Res Audio CD55 or the Bow Wizard..... It costs smthg like 3.900$.

How about the *new* EMC-1 24/192, has anyone heard it ?

the bat is worth listening to if you can do so. i'm not familar with the others you mention since after purchasing the bat 3yrs ago i lost the need. the bat is neutral, smooth, and musical in the best sense (its not euphonic, crap in - crap out).

Badwisdom:

Ou est-ce qu'on trouve a Paris par exemple, le lecteur Audio Aero Capitole? Le pris $3900.00 que vous avez mentionne, est-ce que c'est le pris suggere par le fabricant, ou est-ce-qu'il faut negocier ce pris avec les vendeurs aux magasins audios apres avoir tenu compte des baisses de pris typiques? Avez-vous un lecteur Audio Aero Capitole? Je vous demande ces questions parce que si la difference entre le pris ici (a New-York) et a Paris depasse une certaine marge, je me demanderai pourquoi pas l'acheter la prochaine fois que je serai a Paris? Est-ce vous connaissez le nouvel lecteur que Audio Aero fera sortir qui s'appelera Prestige (au moins, c'est le nom ici). Est-ce qu'il est sorti la?

I agree with Newbee that the Bat VK-D5 SE is a very good cdp and worth listening to before making a final decision. I have heard the Bat extensively and know it requires lots of current. The super tubes provide more resolution, detail, and dynamics. I heard Bat will be introducing a 24-bit cdp soon. I have not heard the other cdps but I should mention that I own a 24/96 Electrocompaniet EMC-1 cdp. The EMC is very analog sounding and very sohpisticated in music decay and detail. In my opinion, the Bat and EMC-1 are two of the best cdps in its price class.