Accuphase Dp100/101 vs DCS elgar/verdi

I know it is not exactly what you are asking but I would go for the new models at Accuphase the DP 800 and DC801. I have owned pretty much all other pieces and I prefer these. You can also use the DG38 equalizer with them, offering good improvements for challenging rooms. I think the DP100/101 is by now quite old. The DCS sound is different and I never found it as engaging (I preferred EMM for example). But if you like it, pick up a used combo and you will not go wrong. The new super expensive scarlatti is all hype since if I am not mistaken the designers have all left DCS.

I have no ax to grind here, because although I was a satisfied dCS owner for years, I have moved on to the Esoteric P-03/D-03. But "the new super expensive Scarlatti is all hype since if I am not mistaken the designers have all left dCS"? C'mon, it's a great company, younger circuit and software designers move in all the time at any company, and until someone with a pair of good ears has sat down, listened carefully to the Scarlatti, and compared it to the top competing pieces, such comments are just totally unfair to a great company with a distinguished history and tremendous customer support.

I heard the Scarlatti compared to Analogue at HE 2007. It wasn't bad but CD was still CD. I prefered the Zanden on CD. Granted show conditions etc. etc. But for that much money I expected more. One CD player that did impress me was the Audiomeca. Not the price but the music wasn't bad. Not perfect though. Again, CD is CD. I don't care how much money you throw at it. Now SACD is a different story.