Were to go after a Rega Planet 2000?

I've heard all of the Sony's mentioned here, and found them to be exactly as you describe: excellent detail, authority, and superb dynamics. And no midrange. The AA Prima is a much more intimate player, with a seductive midrange, and certainly enough detail and dynamics to keep most happy for a long time. It does not attack like the Sony, but it lets you into the music to a considerably greater level. When listening to the Sony players, I find myself admiring the player more than being taken in by the music. With the Prima, it is all about the music.

You could also try a Bel Canto DAC2 with your Rega. With an excellent digital cable, you will be within your budget, and well beyond the playback capabilities of the Rega.
Good luck,
Howard

I moved from a Planet 2000 to a Sony DVP 9000 and preferred the Planet 2000, but the Sony could play DVD so I kept it. I think the Planet was warmer and more musical where the sony sounded more like typical HI FI to me.

I guess I should look elsewhere then. The reason I like the planet is because it plays music. I am wanting to add to the warm musicality of the rega. I want more detail, air, staging and depth etc... but not at the expensive of musicality, PRAT, tone, timber etc..

Can anyone comment on the Ack dAck in regards to this?

Nick, I was looking for exactly the same sound as you do. All o the other players I tried gave up some of the warmth and musicality of the Rega for detail and better soundstaging. The AA prima has a very similar top end to the Rega, with a little more extension and a more detail. The bass of the Prima compared to the original Planet is much fuller and extended as well. The shading of instruments and voices is much more realistic on the Prima. What I was admiring most about the Prima so far is that it does show more detail, better soundstage, more there with out giving up the warmth and musicality of the Rega. Oh, and the Prima looks a lot better than any of the pictures I have seen of it.

There's some comments about the Ack 2.0 over at Asylum. In comparison to he original Dack it is supposed to have much tighter detailed sound with much better PRAT which I heard was missing in the older version. Sorry for the second hand info on the Dack, but I thought it might help.

Good luck,

Rene

You might be able to find a Classe CDP-1 for under $1K. Kinda like a Rega Planet 2000 on steriods.