No issues at all with an aggressive of mechanical sound. I have read these reports from some people and have never experienced it. I do not have the external power supply, one can only spend so much money. I find the CDX2 very musical, I am currently listening to Starker, Bach suite for solo cello, I also have this on vinyl. I enjoy both. The CDX2 seems to highlite the music more, vinyl gives me a real sense of being in the room, perhaps a little more sense of the instrument being 3 dementional. I enjoy both. I listen to jazz, acoustic music, vocals up to heavy metal. I really enjoy the CDX2. I do have it on still points, a little more detail perhaps but not a lot of difference, I noticed more with the stillpoints on my Classe amp and belles preamp.