Audio Aero Capitole 24/192 too foward and bright?

I've found the sound of the Aero to be pleasing both running direct and through my Presence Audio pre-amp. Clearly, system balance and preference will play a role in which route sounds best, but it's nice to have a choice.

Running direct sounds a tad more immediate, lively and engaging, but running through the pre-amp certainly doesn't wreck the sound, and in some ways--richness, air, harmonics, I prefer it. When running direct vs through a preamp the type of amplification one uses is, of course, critical to the sound. I use the solid state Edge amp, so having a minimalist tube-line stage in between the Aero and the amp isn't necessarily a bad thing. Now, if I were using the Tenors or other high-quality tube amps, well, that might be a whole 'nuther ballgame. :)

As Sos said, it really is about system balance and tuning the system to its most pleasing state--and that is to a large degree, different for everyone.

I've heard the aa mk I and II. (note: jtinn and I are friends).

Not bright nor fatiging at all. It's the smoothest, most analogue sounding cd player I've heard. The tube output stage is simply magical with a tube amplifier. You feel like that 3D, alive and harmonic quality of tubes is reaching all the way back to the source. I get that same effect with my tube phono stage. I've heard lot's of smooth cd players, but this one has extraordinary resolution as well.

I have not heard the EMC, but there are many good comments on it.

John_1- I have the MK I (running it direct to a pair of modded 160 wpc triode large tube monoblocks). I am considering the MK II- is it even better than the original, and if so, what sonic parameters did you find superior (OR, inferior)??

Although I have heard amazing things about this player, it is out of my financial league. What about the Audio Aero Prima? Anyone have experience or hear things about this baby? I'm nervous about buying cd players used. For the price of what a new Audio Aero Prima cost: can I do better? I'd appreciate feedback from you guys. Thanks in advance.

Warrenh, I saw a review of this on Audiogon recently. The guy had mixed feelings about it. Apparently it doesn't use the Anagram chips that are in the Capitole... Really, there aren't enough opinions out on this piece yet to make a solid decision without listening before.