new reference in the german Stereo: Einsten the ..

Clavil

germans make me always smile!

I don't consider their audio press reliable, just ignore what they say about...

Mathias Böde's reviews can be found in english through Accuphase web site. Those of you who interested in reliability of german press must have a look.
For me it is funy how he writes so many good points about all the Accuphase gear he tests. This is why I got negative impression about german press.

I am not unfamiliar to Accuphase, I replaced Accuphase Dp-78 by dCS Puccini one year ago. Even before I had Accuphase DP-67 and replaced by Musical Fidelity KW-DM 25.
Further, I have lived in Germany almost 5 years and started to collect equipment there in 1993. I remember as today I used to go to HD Hauptbahnhof for to get english audio magazines.(what hi-fi, hi-fi news and records, stereophile)
If my memory is correct, beyond them, Image Hi-fi was a bit better in paper and picture quality!
Being honestly, not just german press, english speaking audio media have weaknesses in testing and analyzing the particular equipment.

I used read stereophile tests but not seriously since 2006. However, I read J.A's lab reports carefuly in order to pick a few important points about the equipment.

I think you will understand this after having reached a particular level in Hi-End Audio.

Kops and karelfd
I am the first person who list dCS Puccini in virtual systems section of Audiogon back in 2008 May. I pitted against Meridian 808.2 i(loan), Accuphase Dp-78(my own) and dCS old 4 piece stack. I have connected all cd players to one preamp together(Boulder 810). For test purposes I have used Nordost Odin, Valhalla, Stealth Indra interconnects and all the powercords I have in my own collection.(Nordost Valhalla, Acrolink Mexcel 7n-pc7100, Shunyata Anaconda, Python, Taipan, Elrod Eps-2 Sig, and DIY Oyaide Tunami with various Oyaide-furutech plugs.
First night, old dCS full stack was eliminated, second night Meridian, then only Accuphase and Puccini left for 1 week period. I have connected Nordost Odin to Puccini to hear what could be done with very best interconnect. After, I switched back to old Valhalla to puccini, Odin to Accuphase. I observed how Valhalla was sounding incorrect compared to Odin. Was Odin very best I have ever heard? Yes! Should I buy Odin and keep Accuphase? No!
Right decision is to buy dCS Puccini and replace Valhalla and find the correct powercord for final voicing.
Afterwords, dCS Puccini became very popular CDP amongst others. I can't name how many magazines tested and gave decoration. I have seen fellow Audiogoners who rated puccini one of the best onebox cdp here at the Audiogon.
I have heard from you that some particular german magazines raved about puccini. It doesn't sound something special to me! I know many systems here in Audiogon outclass many wellknown reviewers own setups! I rate fellow audiogoners own comments more valuable than audio press overall.