What cd player or cd transport/dac is next for me?

I really like the Accuphase CD players. I'm using an older DP-75. I feel that this unit has the most "analog" sound of any Redbook player that I have heard!

I have had the Levinson digital, the dCS delius and purcell and none come close to the Audiomeca or Audio Aero. Audiomeca makes the Enkianthus DAC and Mephisto II Transport and CD Player. Both pieces are incredibly easy to listen to and of course upsample to 24 /192. The other very interesting CD Player is the Audio Aero Capitol 24 /192. This unit uses the same chipset in the Audiomeca but has a proprietary technology for upsampling. It also uses a tube output stage. The Capitole also has the added ability to be used without a preamp. It has a remote controlled volume and has a ton of gain.

Both are reasonably priced compared with the Levinson and dCS, and they both out perform them.

I had SC IVs but powered by Krell. I own a Levinson 32 and had the 360S. If you like laid back, 360S is it. I'm a huge fan of pace, timing and musicality that allows you to quit thinking about soundstage/imaging/treble zing/transients etc. Whatever sounds compellingly real. For me, I ended up unexpectedly with a Naim CDS2; it's different than any CD setup I've had (had SCD1, Wadia, SF,Goldmund etc.). I would think the Levinson gear you have is lush for SS, with a humongous soundstage etc. and you'd maybe get too much of a good thing with more Levinson. I'd try any Naim CD player, a Goldmund (also dynamic and driving) and any CD player people recommend as being musical above all (maybe Audio Aero?). It can be about sound and gear but it's better when it's about music. I spend my dough on XRCDs (esp the Yamamoto Trio Three Blind Mice and DCC Gold remasters). BTW, my Naim/Lev/Rowland setup sounds darn good. My Tact setup gets damn close. Kharma and Piega speakers. PS. Build out your music collection if you haven't. I always find it peculiar to visit someone who has 10 LPs or 30 CDs and great gear. I'd go nuts too if I listened to: Jacintha/Jennifer Warnes/Thin Red Line/Diana Krall over and over and over. So, try the Capitole, the EMC, the Naim, anything in the 2-3K used range. They're different than Levinson/Krell/Wadia/DCS.

Fatparrot: How does the MKII compare with the MKI? Specifically, how much improvement and in what ways? I found that the MKI was too bright in the mids for me.

Jtinn: I've never heard of or heard the Audiomeca units and will look for a dealer here in NY.

Classicjazz: Thanks for the heads-up on Naim and Goldmung. I have about 700 cds, mostly classical, but listen constantly including Blues, vocals and jazz. I rarely listen to the same piece twice in a week, and I listen about 12 hours a day.

Thanks,

Bill E.

Classicjazz/Jtinn: How different is the one box setup from separate DAC/transports?

Bill E.