Granite 657 tube output CDP's are fast achieving "cult" status among those audiophiles who wish to listen to the music and not fall victim to the media hubbub.The music this aesthetically beautiful stealh component produces is equivalent or better than SACD's.The SACD hoopla is just another attempt by the marketing fat cats who are not even interested in the music to clean out our wallets year after year.These marketing types are sellng us the menu rather that what you order to eat.They are selling us the PROCESS not the end RESULT which is always the music. Demo a Granite 657 sans preamplifier because it sounds better without it(less is more).You will hear the difference and realize that you don't have to fall victim to the constant "new and improved" pitch of the music player industry. You also do not have to fall prey to the marketing hyperbole so prevalent in the high end market. Sometimes the constant promotion of new, more expensive better sounding equipment reminds me of the story of the "Emperor's New Clothes."
