I have heard one for a prolonged period at a show last year and thought the system about the best in the show. Of course the rest of the system was very good indeed. The sound was what I look for in CD, detailed, good soundstage, but lacking that digital grain, which is so difficult to live with long term. As ever, what is a good value CD player in the UK, will be very expensive in the US, due to the $ price. I almost wonder why any of you colonials even consider European HiFi at the moment, with the current exchange rate.