French CD players' sound ?


I've had a Micromega Stage 2 for a couple of years now and really like it sonically. So much so that I turned down an opportunity to replace it with a Theta Miles (unbalanced) because I didn't think the Miles was "better enough" in my system. However, mechanical reliability is getting to be an issue with this 6-year-old player. Does anyone out there have experience with the sonic signatures of other French offerings? Audio Refinement, Audio Meca, YBA.

For those who don't, but can't resist an appeal for a recommendation, I'm not necessarily looking for a neutral player. I like the warm, slightly soft (but clear) sound I get from the Micromega in my system. My room doesn't allow holographic imaging, although I have managed a decent "phantom center". The rest of the chain is Cary (pre), Threshold (power) and Apogee (speakers).
128x128macdonj
I have heard the Audio Meca Keops and found it to be an extremely musical player, well worth giving an audition. And if you have the cash, the Audio Aero Capitole is probably the best of the lot, from the buzz it's gotten on the net. I haven't heard it yet, not being in the market for a replacement CD player, but it's from a company whose designer has a Jadis and Audio Matiere resume, and that's enough to recommend it to me.
I listen to the top YBA at my local Pass/YBA dealer. It is in their reference system with Pass X pre-amp & X350 amp.
It does have the double power supply. It sounds excellent to me. I have also heard it in an all YBA Passion system with Kharma Ceramique speakers, also excellent!

Daniel
Some of Micromega's cd players have been notorious for mechanical problems due to some problems with the Phillip's transports contained therein. I have used Micromega dac's for years for exactly the same sonic reasons you mentioned above. I have compared them to other, even more expensive and supposedly more technologically advanced dacs and I while it is easy to find dacs that present more details, it is difficult to find any reasonalby priced ones that sound more musically satisfying. If you can't find a cd player that you like, you may want to consider getting a used Microcmega dac and picking up a new cd player with a digital output to use as a transport. Used Micromega dacs can be had cheaply, and come up here or on ebay occaisionally.