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MUSE Erato II - Anyone using this player?

I have an opportunity to own MUSE's top player, the Erato II. However, the only print references to the Erato II I can find are the double review in HiFi+ (same review on-line at AV-guide), a Stereophile CES 2008 Show Report with no performance related comments, and an article indicating that Stereo Times reviewer Jan Petter Egidius uses the Erato II as his reference. There is no specific discussion here or at AA, and there is only one posted virtual system that uses the transport version, and none listed that use the player version. The two HiFi+ reviewers seemed to like it with a few operational caveats, but their reviews were not what I would call all-out raves. I would be interested in hearing feedback from any who have heard the Erato II player in their own system, a friend's system, or even at a show like CES. Thanks.
mitch2
mds's avatar
mds
119 posts
 
The only reviews I have found are for the Polyhymnia @ Stereophile & Eleven @ Secrets of Home Theater. I quess you will have to call the designer.
mitch2 OP
3,749 posts
 
Mds, thanks for looking and posting here.

I have also seen those reviews. The designer told me the Model Ten (which I owned) would be superior to the Eleven (for redbook CD playback). The designer also considers the Erato II superior to the Polyhymnia for CD or DVD playback and for video. The only benefit of the Eleven and the Polyhymnia are that they also play SACD, which the Model Ten and current Erato II do not. Therefore, I suspect the Model Eleven and Polyhymnia reviews would not be good indicators of how the Erato II sounds. Since I would not have a chance to audition the Erato II before owning, I was really hoping a couple of folks here had given the Erato II a run in and could compare it's sound to one or two of the usual suspects around the same $7K price range.
mds's avatar
mds
119 posts
 
Mitch2

I talked with Kevin about 3 years ago when I was looking to upgrade my DVD Player for better analog audio. I got the impression that their products were mainly for audio and video was just a side note. I decided to take another route since I didn't want to loose any video quality. Kevin did state that the bulk of their sales were oversea's so maybe no one has had a chance to compare the products. Good luck in your search, I suspect that the Erato II would be an excellent sounding product hopefully you can find someone that is familiar with the product.
rkochies
42 posts
 
I have an Erato II in my home system. It replaced a Krell, and I simply love it. The rest of my system is Edge NL 10.1, Nearfield Pipedreams, and Crystal Clear cables. The Erato is one of the best additions I've ever made. It is startling in clarity, speed, tonal balance, and wonderful in accuracy. It is feeding my Edge directly...
mitch2 OP
3,749 posts
 
Finally, someone who has heard (owns) this player. Thanks for responding! You must have the attenuator module if you are running direct. I would be using it into a preamp. Three questions I have for you are whether the player is good at conveying body, dimensionality, and fullness; whether the bass is deep, dynamic and defined; and how the player compares with other excellent players you have owned?

Oh and finally, since providing detail on the MUSE website has never been their strong suit, if you have the newer style faceplate, where are the control buttons? Is this a pressure sensitive screen in the middle or is everything controlled by remote? The website shows a picture of the new faceplate, but it is hidden by the open drawer and the site doesn't show or discuss the operation of the player without the conventional buttons they have had on their players for years. Thanks again.
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