Digital Connundrum - Levinson? Audio Aero?

alas, now i know why the usually decisive audionut is being wishy washy on this - I HAVE NO TUNES AND AM GOING NUTS. I sent my Berning in for the wiring upgrade 10 days ago, and so im a nutjob drooling over gear here all the time!

It's really pretty sad. Me shopping for major component changes now (while the rig is down), is like going food shopping at a super high-end gourmet store when you're really famished - you're bound to spend foolishly and end up feeling sick about it in the end...

I feel your pain. It's hard when the system is down even for a little while. Sometimes I just feel slightly off and don't realize why, but when I sit down and listen to music, feel much better. It's a drug. hehe

As for your Levinson dilemma, definitely don't do anything until you get your system up and running again. The love will likely come back. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

I think at the price point you're talking about, it's all a matter of taste. The audio aero is great, but so is the levinson. That we should all be so blessed to have these choices. I owned dCS for a time, great too!

Artg
You need to get a back up amp! There is nothing like the Berning but I am sure you'll find something at least tolerable. To answer you're question I'll throw in a vote for the Audio Aero, I like their stuff and that piece is extremely good the only thing that I have heard that is better are the DCS separates. I haven't the Levinson so it made not a be big improvement!

I don't know if this is germaine, but I sold my 390S and have all 47Labs digital gear now. I will NEVER go back. The fluid way this non-oversampling, filterless stuff has with music is great. I don't feel that I've given anything up, but have gained a ton more insight into the performances. I had also owned Wadia and Accuphase prior to the 390.

I have gone threw all this, I auditioned the 390S and many many more.

I think that the 390S was a great player in its day.

I would try the Aero, Ayre, Electrocompaniet, you must try them out to hear what you like and dislike.

good luck