CD player finally died. Need rec.

The MUSE MODEL EIGHT DVD/CD TRANSPORT & 296 DVD/CD PROCESSOR Combo, capable of handling the 24-bit/96kHz format is, at the very least, a EXCELLENT choice and further considered by most the best. - BAR NONE-. Perhaps and even better choice initially however, would be the new MUSE MODEL NINE CD/DVD PLAYER, the one box answer to the 8/296 combo. The NINE, like the EIGHT & TWO NINETY SIX, is based on DVD technology, and is capable of playing 8 & 12 cm versions of CD, DVD VIDEO & AAD's (ADVANCED AUDIO DISC) formats now available. The NINE comes in at $3,250.00 (half the cost of the 8/296 combo at $6,750) and I've been told, due to it's modular design, can be readily converted to the EIGHT Transport at a later date. This option certainly provides the flexibility of staging up to the more expensive pair, should you so decide, when the budget allows. I certainly can't justify buying ANY high quality CD-ONLY playback gear, now that this technology is available. With either the 8/296 transport combo or the single box NINE Player, you would then have the gear capable of functioning as your premiere signal source in BOTH your Audio & Video systems. If you don't subscribe to Stereophile Magazine, pick up the APRIL 99 Stereophile Recommended Component issue(Vol.22 NO4) if you possibly can. That issue has an extensive review that you will find very informative. Also same issue has interview with the MUSE Designer (MUSING ON 24/96) I know you would appreciate reading as well.

Buy another Sonographe. You can pick them up at used stereo stores for $150. I have had one of the SD-1 alphas for years. They were simple 14 bit players with Conrad Johnson high quality analog sections. I recently bought a Wadia 830 and Sony XA7ES to compare to it. They are both better, but not by much. A little more detail and bass, but not nearly the improvement per dollar that I saw with other componentry. Besides, that's the same CD player Leonard Bernstein owned (saw him in a home interview once). If you want something modern, the I have been impressed with the Denon 1650 (900 new), the Adcom GCD-750 (1150 new), and the Sony XA7ES (2300 new). I think the adcom is the best buy of the bunch.

I agree with John_1.. 100%...

JUST FOUND NEW WEB SITE FOR MUSE. MUSEELECTRONICS.COM

Thanks for all the great info and humor!!! David99's comments were helpful, I might add. For those of you keeping score at home, I have added a beautiful new Rega Planet to my current set up (BK ST1400 amp and a conrad johnson PV10A preamp, with Alon 1 speakers and Tara cables). In the future, I will probably upgrade to a nice transport and outboard DAC (when the format wars are over). Thanks again, everyone!!!!