Audio Aero Capitole vs. Audiomeca Mphisto II

Most top CD players will play all the notes - you will hear all there is to hear. But - it is the way the notes are played which truly separates a fine CD player from just any mass produced upsampling digital device.

To some people, CD players are CD players they don't hear a difference. To other people there is character, whether it be slam, detail, "analog like" that makes a CD player stand out above the rest.

But to a few of us it is the feeling in our soul when music just sounds right. It is a feeling that comes mostly at the deepest levels of listening - where the others (those who cannot tell) fear to tread or rarely go. It's the heartbeat of our passion and the conveyance of the magic we seek. It's the synergy between each note - the way you can taste it and the way it caresses you as you close your eyes and imagine.

The Audio Aero plays all the notes and it sounds right but the Mephisto takes a listener to a whole new level of appreciation.

Bwhite, your 3rd paragraph interests me immensely -- you put it better than I could ever have!
Do you find that the difference between these two players holds on all kinds of music (I listen mostly to classical & soul/blues)? Cheers

Bwhite I would appreciate it if you would expand a bit more on your observation that while the Audio Aero plays all the notes and sounds right the Audiomeca takes a listener to a new level of appreciation. I have been duly impressed with the Audiomeca having had the chance to listen in my system. But, with all the accolades recently heaped on the Audio Aero one can't help but be intriqued by it. I am in the market for a new cdp and am down to these two. Having not had the opportunity to hear the AA in my system I am reluctant to go that route. Thanks.

Gregm & Pgleekel -

The Mephisto is good in all types of music but I have found will sound better with certain power cords and interconnects. Currently I use Audio Note AN-Vz interconnects and a NBS Statement power cord. This combo produces the most realistic sound I have heard from a player thus far. The NBS gives a weight and power to the music - intense dynamics and speed - the Audio Note seems to collapse the soundstage a little - tightens up the blur of the players - and shows you a realistic life like presentation. The combo is stunning.

When used with a Shunyata King Cobra, and Stealth PGS interconnects, I found the Mephisto to make almost any kind of music sound like something you might hear in a coffee shop. In this configuration it has a way of making blood chilling heavy metal music sound like something from Barry Manalow - I am kidding of course but if you try the combo, you'll know what I mean.

Anything in-between will adjust the Mephisto to suit your tastes.

The Audio Aero has received great accolades recently. While it is a great player - I think the number one advantage is the remote volume output. I am not a huge fan of digital preamplification so I personally do not see this feature as an advantage. A good preamp is the cornerstone of a good system. To do without is fine but - there is something lost in the musicality of it all.

The AA and the Mephisto both use the same DAC and therefore have similar character however I was not able to get to deeper levels of listening with the AA as easily as I was with the Mephisto. Perhaps the Mephisto is a bit more seductive in the way it plays.

The only annoying thing about the Mephisto is its high pitch noise it makes after you shut it off and turn it back on. This noise goes away after a while but with sensitive equipment - can be noticable for a few hours. To avoid this, always leave the Mephisto turned on.

Either way you cannot go wrong with these players however my preference leans toward the Mephisto.

Hey Bri...remember the raves for the EMC-1 MkII? Do ya?
Where's it fit in all this? Ern