Has anyone heard the SimAudio 650D?

Yeah, the 750D is very "analytical" and almost hyper detailed. The 650D is much smoother and "analogue sounding", as Fremer found and mentioned in his review.

I'm curious to see how much the addition of outboard power supplies for the 650D and750D (to be offered by Simaudio soon, I believe) will improve the sound of these units. I'm sure Stereophile will do a follow up review at that point.

Without getting into the debate of the wisdom of Stereophile's rankings, I believe that the A+ class is only for player's performance with hi-rez media, which the Simaudio lacks.

Thea 650D does handle high resolution files. Initially its USB input didn't handle high res files but it now does and older units can have the USB updated to the high res version. All other inputs have always handled high res files.

Notice that all players on category A+ have SACD capability.

Also see the editor's note, just before the A+ equipment list: "SACD and DVD-A player ratings are based on how they sound sound with their respective hi-res media, not CD." I believe this explains why they are all listed ahead of the 650D and some other fine players on category A.

Has any one compared the 650D with dCS Debussy? Besides the differences in features (which I am well awere), I am interested on how they compare sonically. Heard both at a dealer demo system (all Simaudio top of the line gear), but have no chance to do it at home (McIntosh pre-power).

Nothing strange about it, Mike gets only one vote when it comes to the recommended components list.