Suggestions for a CDP that's

Zd542 you are absolutely correct, the VRE-1b is more than a very nice line stage, it actually beat out my Kondo M1000 line stage which retailed at $95,000!
I've decided to get the new AMR CD-777SE which is due out in a few weeks time. Not a true balanced design but not a real issue.

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Thanks Mattmiller but I've heard McIntosh and don't care for their sound.

zd542 the rest of my system is as follows:

AZ Crescendo speakers
Atmasphere Novacron LE OTL amps
NVO SPA-II/2 (22 tubes) phono unit
Brinkmann Bardo TT with their 10.5 arm and EMT cartridge
VRE-1b pre-amp
Mixture of cables from PAD, Pranawire and Nanotec

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