Absolute Best CD Players Out There Under $12k ?

I have listened extensivly to the CDSD/DCC2 combination and wasn't overly impressed.

True - the sound is grainless and the resolution is excelent, but to me the EMM combo is too much on the cold/analitical side to my ears.

The latest dCS Verdi LaScala/Elgar Plus with Verona external clock, that my close friend ended buing, sounded just so much more natural, although at almost twice the price.

Based on that expirience, I would seriusly consider the latest dCS integrated player or the Reymio, everyone is raving about (although I have personally not heard it).

Hooper -> the dCS stack I'm reffering to is 3 box solution. (You can run it without the external clock with small quality penalty, and then you have only 2 boxes).

Since you mentioned 4 boxes, I assume that you have listened to the older dCS stack - Verdi transport + Purcell upsampler. The latest transport I'm reffering to - Verdi LaScala - has the upsampling option built in, and is better sounding than Verdi + Purcel combination (for whatever reason).

I agree with you that EMM has superior resolution and dynamics. The problem of EMM gear is, that to my ears, it is a bit lean/cold sounding, the midrange lacks body and natural warmth. The EMM is like Valhalla cables in this regard - there are many ppl who swear by them, and as many (me including) who think that they sound "clean but thin".

I must also note that I have only listened to both EMM/dCS combinations on Redbook CD, so I cannot comment on their SACD performance.

It well may be true that EMM is superior on SACD, as Alex said. I personally do not care about SACD.

Hooper -> I have listened to the CDSD/DCC2 combo with EMM optical cables throughout. Once again - I think that EMM combo does many things extraordinary well, and I can see why ppl rave about it. It's just not my cup of tea.

I have listened to the both dCS stack and EMM combo through Nagra PL-P preamp and Nagra VPA monoblocks fitted with KR845 tubes.

Tbg - you didn't mention that Halycronics base costs almost $8000 ...

NOS Yugo, ROTFL. Guidocorona - you made my day :-))))