ECM1, Audio Aero Capitole, or Sim Audio Eclispe?

Smj refer to my thread comparing the AA AM ECM, Bwhite does a review like no "professional" reviewer can do. He simply outdoes every mag review. Bwhite gives you a feel for these top players that the "hi-fi" mags DO NOT. Granted the mag critics do the best job they can, but they fall way short of what Bwhite describes.

I had the Eclipse, and now own the Capitole. Eclipse- excellent detail retrieval and 'air', awesome bass. Capitole- also excellent detail retrieval, bass not as huge, but more palpability/organic sound, especially with vocals.

Also, with the Eclipse, I needed a preamp and a DCS upsampler to really get the utmost out of it- the Capitole replaced 3 'boxes' with only one...

Don't know if it helps, but at one point Soundstage reviewed the original Capitole, and I seem to recall the reviewer compared and contrasted it with his experience with the Eclipse. Good luck!

What about the Gamut CD-1, shouldn't that be considered in the short list? Alot less money and I understand its preformance is at the same levle as those listed as well as the Audio Meca Mephisto (which should also probably be on your short list).

cd

I have heard all three above, and here is my top 3

1. Audio Aero
2. EMC1
3. Sim Audio

Very personal choice. Havent heard the Chord DAC 64 Yet

Cheers
Xav