ML 390S vs dCS Verdi/Purcell/Elgar Plus

koen: if you truly want the best sound from cd's, i'd suggest you consider the boulder 1012. it is superior to every other dac i've ever auditioned, including those by burmester, mbl, the accuphase 75v and the 100/101. the boulder unit is a pre/dac, eliminating the need for a separate pre. it's built-in voltage alternatives (factory set) allow its use throughout the world. the december s'phile has a review of the boulder 1012 worth reading. -cfb

Bill, i have listened to the above and still prefer my Linn CD-12. especially for classical listening the continuousness and musicality will be very rewarding. i have a Marantz SA-1 that gives me a great reference to judge the CD-12 against. for dedicated cd listening it is hard to beat....and it will make your cd life simple and beautiful.

i have not heard the Audio Aero 192/24 Capitol which would be another strong contender.

Mike, I find the Capitole excellent -- but not quite in the same class as CD-12, the big Lurne, Burmester, Goldmund or Boulder. Haven't carefully auditioned the big ML, so I can't venture an opinion. Also, I listen to classical, so others' mileage *will* vary.

On the other hand, Koen lives in Europe, so price-comparisons could be different, i.e. ML would be expensive vs. A-Aero, Goldmund, Burmester (superb sound that never really gripped me... I wonder why).

Nevertheless, I subscribe to Cornfed's idea of the (expensive) Boulder: you get a good pre (that is sold separately, & at a price, if I'm not mistaken) into the bargain.

Cornfed: could you compare the sound of the Boulder vs. a MLev -- just to give Koen a benchmark?
Cheers!

o.k if your have a 8000 cd and you looking for something for all your life as a cd player.
if you can buy as a player go for teac p-0 or cec tl-0mk2
and cream de la cream for converter is kondo's new ongaku converter and digital cable think about kharma enigma for power cord fim gold and jps aluminata.

I wouldn't spend that much on CD replay. The CDs themselves probably won't last as long as the players, sorry to say, making big bucks digital a little silly in my opinion.
But money is meant to spend, yeah oh yeah....