Thanks to everyone and all your comments/suggestions. Based on what I read (both here and in magazine & online reviews), as well as comparing the other players listed to my previous players; and considering my budget, availability and personal curiosity, the two finalists are:
Naim CD3.5
-or-
Theta Miles
*Cast your Vote!*
Some prior player background:
My most recent player was a Rega Apollo. Before that, it was a Micromega Stage 3. The Stage 3 was a fantastic sounding player, but those old units are plagued with issues--everything from display to output sound. It was a very smooth and refined player. The Apollo was great too, but not as refined as the Stage 3. What I noticed on the Apollo was the ever so slight upper treble pronunciation. What the Rega had over the Stage 3 that I liked was the sense of rhythm and beat. I found myself foot-tapping more when playing the Apollo. Both players were great with imaging & soundstage. The Apollo R is out of my price range, as it the Micromega. As for music, I listed to pop, rock, metal, ambient, classical. Though most of the time it’s pop, rock, ambient/atmospheric and some metal. I know I indicated I used to have a Miles previously (two in fact). However, I never used it with a dedicated preamp; therefore never heard it with the volume control function deactivated. They were always used being connected directly to a amp. I've since come to learn how important a good preamp is to the sound of a stereo system, and now a wonder what the Miles would sound like on the Creek? But, at the same time, I've never owned a Naim and have heard, and read some wonderful things about all of their players. I do love the british-sound.
*Cast your Vote!*
Naim CD3.5
-or-
Theta Miles
*Cast your Vote!*
Some prior player background:
My most recent player was a Rega Apollo. Before that, it was a Micromega Stage 3. The Stage 3 was a fantastic sounding player, but those old units are plagued with issues--everything from display to output sound. It was a very smooth and refined player. The Apollo was great too, but not as refined as the Stage 3. What I noticed on the Apollo was the ever so slight upper treble pronunciation. What the Rega had over the Stage 3 that I liked was the sense of rhythm and beat. I found myself foot-tapping more when playing the Apollo. Both players were great with imaging & soundstage. The Apollo R is out of my price range, as it the Micromega. As for music, I listed to pop, rock, metal, ambient, classical. Though most of the time it’s pop, rock, ambient/atmospheric and some metal. I know I indicated I used to have a Miles previously (two in fact). However, I never used it with a dedicated preamp; therefore never heard it with the volume control function deactivated. They were always used being connected directly to a amp. I've since come to learn how important a good preamp is to the sound of a stereo system, and now a wonder what the Miles would sound like on the Creek? But, at the same time, I've never owned a Naim and have heard, and read some wonderful things about all of their players. I do love the british-sound.
*Cast your Vote!*