I have to address someone's previous remark about Robert Levi's Positive feedback review. In raving the Modwright player, he STILL clearly says that the ACUTE sounds better for standard CD playback. Another rave reviewer of the same Modwright on Positive Feedback also says the ACUTE is still better sounding for CDs. In Levi's review of the ACUTE he says the CD layers on SACDs sound better than the SACD layer on his best SACD player! He MIGHT not be including the Modwright, and he doesn't make clear that Modwight SACD playback is superior to ACUTE CD playback in his Modwright review either. It would be nice to have SACD playability, but for me it would mean also having to get a new preamp to accomodate the format, and sacrifice the superior CD sound of the ACUTE for a seemingly (& unfortunately?) dying format.
I admit Sony would likely be more "reliable" than just about any manufacturer, but I've owned other "small label" CD Players that held together just fine. I couldn't find any basis for above comments on "reliability issues", it all seemed speculative. At any rate, I've owned an ACUTE little over 24 hours so I hope those guys aren't right. Rereading the reviews of the Modwright I have no regrets sound-quality wise. I very much like what I hear so far, and my upgrade Ediswan tubes haven't even arrived yet. I am not knocking the Modwright, haven't heard it, sure it's great. Just think some of the above ACUTE knocking is unfounded, and needlessly stirring up reliability worries with owners and prospective buyers.
