I have to confess that I have never personally tried the Audio Aero Capitol, I have only auditioned it at the shows. I did try the Wadia 861 and my own Accuphase 75V connected directly to my amplifier, and they did not sound even close to what you get through a good preamplifier !
I think that all our recommendations might help, but at the end if you have the possibility to perform a test, that is what you should do.
I think that all our recommendations might help, but at the end if you have the possibility to perform a test, that is what you should do.