3 player shortlist, help me make a choice.....

I encourage you to be careful with the 39 as it is about to be replaced by the 390 or 390S.

If it limited only to the three you have mentioned, I would probably recommend the YBA. I have not heard it in quite a while but was extremely impressed when I did. The Meridian 508.24 is pretty good as well, but I was not blown away by it. I actually compared it head to head with a "cheapie" Rotel 955 (if I remember the model correctly) and the Meridian was only marginally better. I was a bit surprised. Unfotunately, I have never heard the Copland so I of course immediately kicked it off the list. :)

In response to Jtinn warning you away from the Levinson 39. He is correct about it being replaced by the 390 but you can buy a used 39 between 3,000 and 3,500 and at that price there isnt a cd player that even comes close to the 39 even at full retail which is 6,000 it is a hard player to beat. The 390 will cost around 7 or 7,500 and that is a very big investment. The 39 just won best of 2ooo or 2001 as far a cdplayer goes and thats pretty impresive seen how long it has been in production. I would encourage you to read all the reviews on the 39 and also take one home and once you do all of the above I know you will be sold as was I. Good Luck

why limit yourself to three players?

for under $2000 used (or new (DAC))

wadia 830
sonic frontiers cd-1
audio research cd2 (new cd3 coming out)
cal delta with EVS Millennium II dac ($1050 new)
(one reviewer said the Millennium I (without upsampling) blew away his Meridian 508.24)

The previous suggestions are all good. I have one concern about your existing system. The LS2 (I owned an LS2B for three years) is very bright and a better digital front end might not sound good to you through that line preamp. I replaced mine with a Sonic Frontiers Line 3 and the improvement was incredible. I liked the LS2B in a lot of ways but it could drill you into the wall with bright treble. If your system is not bright now then disregard my comments. (I was driving a Krell KSA200s and Thiel 3.6s..all on the bright side.)

Keis

not to jump away too much from the initial thread

thanks for the response

The LS2 is a little bright - I've tamed it a bit with Cardas Gold Cross and HT Pro Silway II cables.

I have tried out an Audio Research LS5 which is incredible, dynamic and not bright on the top end. As for front end I ended up going with the Cal Delta transport and EVS Millenium II dac. Have a set of ultimate attenuators coming to test out bypassing the preamp for now

thanks

Tom