Audio Aero Capitole MK II: Performance & Problems


Capitole MKII users, kindly update on the sonic virtues but also on any repeated technical problems. No forum postings since a week! Have these problems stopped? I understand that some units needed a software update; have these been recalled? Does the performance justify the high price? Please contribute.
lall
Hi Lall
I think I have either P2 or P3, never had any problems, Im just curious, Mejames mentions a way to adjust the balance..how is that done ?

thanks

Matt
Hi Matt
With my CDP, balance adjustment is easy: keep pressing one of the four buttons on the left side of the player (do not release) until you hear a click sound. Release the button and press again, stepwise now, until you see the balance function. Adjust according to requirement. This can also be done from the remote control.
Matt, send me an e-mail if you need further detail.
I don't know if it's same with the P3 or P4 chip. Should be!
Lall,

I have the P3 chip and I have only one problem remaining. The "time remaining" display (on track or disc) will switch the ":" between minutes and seconds to a random numeral. When last I spoke with Jody from Globe Audio he informed me that this anomaly should be fixed with the P4 chip. P3 chip is fine for everything else.

Listener
I have a p3 chip installed which now gives volume readings in db's but it has the disadvantage of not allowing remote access to tracks numbered greater than 9.
There is a p4 available to sort this out but I don't think I can be bothered.
I recommend shun mook discs under the bdr's sounds great.
Here's some useless information: In my prior life I was a QA and manufacturing engineer for a laboratory equipment company, eventually writing ISO standards for such. My work involved lots of hands-on work with several French manufacturers over a decade. trying to teach these iconoclastic engineers and political managers to implement good QA into their production was nearly impossible. White collar and blue collar do NOT mix well in southern European technical manufacturing. I'm a french engineer, yet I must state that trying to get consistent production of clones in a country of 400+ cheeses was impossible. If you opened up a dozen Capitoles I would be surprised if you'd find two that were wired or configured identically! Hence the variability in performance and reliability....
It may be the rare case that AA DOES operate with more stability and control, so my apologies if they fall into that camp. Hell, even my Norwegian CDP's production has evolved (?) through various iterations, such that modding it is less than straightforward due to variability across a manufacturing run. I'm glad I gave up on that career. Companies now brag about ISO 9001/2 compliance, although it's just a documentation paper trail scheme without real assurance teeth....
Just hope you got a good one!