I agree that the Meridian's generally avoid digital nasties, but the ones I have owned (Meridian 508-24 and the 500/566-24 combo) lack pace and have an annoying upper mid-range sheen that has a congealed quality to it. The only way I have come close to good digital sound is by lifting the lid and replacing every capacitor and resistor in sight with Black Gates, Vishay etc. This is very expensive, frustrating and a one-way ticket to an orphan that is hard to sell. But for some reason digital seems to be incredibly sensitive to capacitors that are anything less than the best. The minimum standard required for digital in my experience is the Nichicon Muse, but still use Black Gates in the most critical sections.
Musicality v. Resolution -- Extremes?
Ok, I've often heard off-handed comments regarding the fabled "classically musical" or "classically resolved" CD player. However, these days everyone is falling over themselves to describe any given CD player as one that is "resolved yet musical," (which is, after all, what I suppose we’ve all been conditioned to thirst for). Assuming that the old resolving power v. musicality is a spectrum (possibly an incorrect assumption, and one that leaves out a whole host of other variables, but humor me) who would lie towards the extremes? For example, taking into account my tastes and current setup, I would run out to hear a CDP that was described, above all else, as "warm, laid back, smooth, lush and musical." Is there such a beast? Or, in the race to the middle of the spectrum, is there no one left at the extremes? (Fine, I admit that the best will likely be the ones that can approach both ends of the spectrum simultaneously, but that’s another question). Thoughts?