2. digital
  3. 127294-10135

Micromega Stage 1 vs. Stage 3 vs. everything else in this list...

Recently picked up a Micromega Stage 1 cd player for $200 to go with my Creek 4330SE and Vandersteen 2c speakers. The Stage 1 sounds great. Smooth, warm, airy, musical, etc. I may have the opportunity to get a Stage 3. I'd of course sell the Stage 1. Cost for the Stage 3 will be anywhere from $400-$465. However, it comes with a new laser. For that price range, should I go for the Stage 3, or are there other options out there for the same price range (or lower) that will sound better than the Stage 3? Does anybody have experience with both of these players and the difference in sound quality between the S1 and S3? And, is the price worth it? I had a similar post regarding cd players and it got me thinking about other possibilities compared to the Stage 1. Someone had mentioned the Rotel RCD-1072, while another suggested the Rega Apollo. Other players I've been curious how they compare to the Micromega's about include the Rega Jupiter, Creek CD43 mkII, Oppo 83SE, Cal Audio Icon mkll PowerBoss, etc. 

jsbach1685
jsbach1685 OP
145 posts
 
Hi jafant,

Hope you had a good holiday!

Well, I got some DAC to try...

I got a used HRT iStreamer for my iPhone 5, as well as an AQ Dragonfly Black. The HRT sounds really nice... in fact much better than the veiled sounding Dragonfly Black. Also, the volume level on the Black was much lower as well. I bet the Red would be more equal to the HRT. Since the max sample rate of Apple stuff is 48khz, both HRT and Black indicated they were putting out 44.1khz quality. Needless to say, the Black was returned. Not only did ther HRT improve the sound of iphone 5, it also raised the output volume level almost to CD player level.

Speaking of CD players... I have a Rega Apollo on the way to compare with the Stage 3. I’ve read A LOT of really positive reviews about the Apollo, and I’ve always wanted to give one a listen. I’m anxious to see how they will compare.  Any guesses? 
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,584 posts
 
TY- jsbach1685

hope your holidays went well indeed.  How did your spinner shoot out go?
I look forward in reading about any player comparisons against the Stage 3.

Happy Listening!
jsbach1685 OP
145 posts
 
Well... the Stage 3 was returned to the seller for a refund. I never had a chance to compare with the Apollo. The Stage 3 had a display glitch at first, which was totally intermittent. I sent it back to be fixed. I got the player back and went to hook it up.... this time no sound. All connectors were checked and I had no idea. I was tired of fooling with it and I’ve read the long list of quirky issues with these models, so I asked to return it for a refund. I’m still using the Apollo. Speaking of players... does anyone have any experience with Myryad? Specifically, the MCD600 CD player? From the little info I could find, it sounds like a great sounding player. I'm contemplating selling the Apollo to pick one up. Also, is Myryad pronounced like the word Myriad?
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,584 posts
 
TY -for the update jsbach1685

Sad indeed. These companies can build a trouble-free CD player and most do, but, others choose not to build a reliable spinner?
More to discover