opinions on audio refinement cd complete

Thanks for your responses guys. I actually ended up with the sony 555es SACD player since I got it brand new for a steal 3 months back. I think I have my sights on a cary 303/100-200 or their 308 next. You know, damn ugrade-itis bug. But am going to stick with this player at least till august. Either that or mod this sony player from sacd-mods. com. Will have to see what happens in the near future.

I had the Audio Refinement cdp for about 2 years and then went with the YBA cd-3 for 1 year. I like the Audio Refinement player...it's good and so is the YBA CD3. But the Jolida 100 is in a completely different world of resolution too the both of them. The Jolida surpasses both of them in musicality, smoothness, bass impact.soundstage...etc. I guess everyone has ther own opinions and these things can be system dependent. If you get the Jolida I would recommend replacing the stock tubes with something else. Ohhh I see you went SACD...good luck!!!

Aniwolf,
Have not been able to sample the Jolida. Right now the system sounds ok but still waiting on my odyssey tempest preamp. I am using this parasound php-850 and as it is-the sound is very neutral and a bit too digital-especially on classic rock. I grew up on analog and it is irritating me slightly. I will wait till the preamp comes in this month and also will have to change the interconnects-amp to pre and pre to cd. If that does not help the sony es goes on sale in audiogon. I want a bit more laid back sound and much warmer presentation. That is why I was checking out a tube cdp. Will try to sample the the jolida somehow and the cary(which is my first choice). Let's see if the preamp/interconnects help first though. I have only had the Sony for about 3 months now.