BLUE NOTE STIBBERT TUBED IMPROVED

O.K., I'll throw in my $.02. I just auditioned the Stibbert MkII tube version and it's little brother, the Koala in my home today. The Koala is competetive at it's $2,200 asking price. A good "bang for the buck" player, but it's big brother, the Stibbert is absolutely phenomenal. The upgraded power supplies in this version really put this in a league of it's own. Other than H.P.s very positive one page review on (basically an early prototype) Stibbert, there really isn't a lot of info about this player. Be that as it may IMO, it should be on anyone's shortlist for digital in it's price range, and well beyond.

I just cant see the Stibbert (improved tube version anyway)sounding "sterile." It may have been associated equipment, etc. but on my dealer's mega buck system and most importantly, my much more humble one it was the antithesis of sterile. Dynamic, emotional and powerful were my impressions. The most natural and analogue-like sounding player I've personally ever heard to date. The epitome of PRAT. Anyone looking for a redbook player in it's price range would be doing themselves a disservice by not trying to audition it, IMHO.