Are Capitole and Mephisto recommended components?

I do not recall either being reviewed. You can check this at the Stereophile website by doing a search of the back issues.

I can tell you the capitole mk I is better than most (all?) 'class A' cd players that I've heard or owned. I'm listening to one right now!

Disclaimer: I am friends with a local Capitole dealer.

I wish stereophile would review it. Check out www.soundstage.com, they have a good review of the capitole.

I'm not positive, but I don't think the Aero Audio Capitole was out in October of 2000.

Stereopile is not the de-facto source for all information on quality audio products. There are many reasons why some amazing components do not make their way onto that over-hyped list.

Politics. Ad Revenue. Arrogance on the part of the manufacturer. Competitive issues with other publications.

But, look at Soundstage.com - the Capitole was a best of 2001 product with a glowing review.

The Stereopile list can be a decent guide, but let YOUR ears and brain decide.

Ianrmack is absolutely right. I own the Mephisto II, and have been very happy, and don't really care if anyone has reviewed it. This is probably true for the content owners of the AA II.

I've been a subscriber to TAS for nearly 17 years, and read Stereophile off and on (just started a subscription this year - $1 a month is less than I spend on toilet paper . . . sad).

The funny thing is that I used to be convinced that reviews, especially positive ones, were related to how often manufacturers place ads, but the principals at Talon (i have a pair of Khorus-X speakers) told me they're pretty much through advertising in Stereophile, after nary a mention, even in the articles on the audio shows.

With the wealth of advice over a variety of sources on the 'net, and a little DD of your own, you can make a confident decision.

Good luck!