Details, details.

I am very happy with the transparency, analog smoothness, and overall presentation of the Accuphase DP-75V (upsampling) CD player, which can also be used as a DAC. A noticeable improvement over the earlier DP-75 (non-upsampling). Alas, the 75V is out of production, but can be found for sale on this site, although not as frequently as other premium CD players. But you can "go for the gusto", and grab an Accuphase DP-85 (SACD & Redbook). Accuphase has been around for years, making high end gear for the fanatical Asian market. They will probably be around for many years to come. Nothing hurts the resale value like a manufacturer going "bye-bye" or making drastic corporate/distribution changes (hello, Levinson/Madrigal owners). There has been a lot of positive buzz about the Audio Aero Capitol. The Mk. 2 version may finally be a great player, but they have had MAJOR production problems (programming in the software chip) and are reported to have a REALLY cheesy top loading draw mechanism. Too bad, because after hearing the Mk. 1 version at the 2002 CES, I was really considering the Mk. 2, when it came out. After these problems (and 107% increase in list price), I'm sure glad that I went with the DP-75V! It is my understanding that Audio Aero is a subdivision of an aerospace corporation, which makes continued viability a question in the overall future corporate scheme of things.

Cornfedboy, good to hear from you again! To explain, CD's and SACD's are little silver 5" discs that allow you to remain seated in your listening chair for 40 to 70 minutes of uninterrupted music instead of jumping up every 15 to 20 to replace your vinyl disc. In addition, you don't have to perform rituals similar to the mating dances of exotic tropical birds to prepare your vinyl for listening. After your courtship, you sit back to enjoy, knowing that somewhere in your next 15 minutes of listening, a random pop, click, or crunch will occur, no matter how thoroughly and lovingly that you have performed your vinyl voodoo rituals! You try to ignore that slight phono section hiss that you KNOW will occur while listening at moderate to high levels, as the song fades out. Is that a little high end muddling? Is it time to clean the stylus, adjust the VTA, or correct the ant-skating? If it's a dirty stylus, try not to "f**k it up", especially if it's late night/early morning, and you might happen to be tired, or in an "altered state" as well! Hey, is there a segment of the song that you want to hear again? On CD/SACD, a push of one button on the remote, and there it is again! Like magic, you can even get this passage to repeat indefinitely! Well, at least on vinyl, you'll be able to burn plenty of calories on many repeated trips to your turntable and cleaning apparatus! (Fatparrot is going to patent the "Burn Calories and Lose Weight while Listening to Vinyl Diet)! Buying used vinyl? Is that pristine looking LP a real gem, or have the high frequencies been stripped out of the grooves, by an ancient ceramic cartridge tracking at 6 to 8 grams? Yes vinyl has advantages over CD's! There are tons of titles on vinyl that will never make it to CD. Also, if you listen to lots of orchestral music, you can immediately, hear the fidelity improvement on bowed violins and violas on a vinyl LP. SACD is supposed to be a VAST improvement over redbook CD, but titles are still very limited, mastering, especially remastering techniques, are still suspect, and now is NOT the time to jump into SACD (give the technology another 2 years, and we'll see). I hope that this helps, as I know that you are a relatively inexperienced novice in the field of high end audio!! (Note: for those who don't know, cfb has probably heard more equipment than the audio rag reviewers, and is a truly chronic and habituated high end junkie! He's also one of the most knowledgeable and intelligent members here on Agon!)