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Originally posted by GaryG:
Going back to the original question:

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Originally posted by Plasmatico:
[b] I am considering buying an 808 or 800, with the new trend in w/l solutions like the Squeezebox, would you go for an expensive player or does the Squeeze give you enough satisfaction to hold you off for now.

I would think there is no way anthing can hold a candle to either the 808 or 800, but from the much discussed merits of the squeeze, people are quite happy with it - - but to the true music lover would it be worth spending several thousand times more to get x% in quality?
What's your budget?

At the high-end, top of my list would be one of these:

www.aplhifi.com/esoteric-product-page.htm

I haven't personally heard this player so can't comment but those that have think it's the best there is.

www.aplhifi.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=558

At the bottom end, a seperate DVD player and Squeezebox would be top of my list. The SB+ from At-Tunes ( www.at-view.co.uk/sb2.htm ) is pretty impressive, it comes in two versions, one with the standard DAC at �800 which is ideal as a transport in Meridian systems, the other, with an upgraded DAC at �1000, for people with analogue systems.

I have the �1000 version of the SB+ (with Black Ash end cheeks, very stylish!), in my system, with power conditioning and good quality power cables it's extremely good, much better than the Meriidan 602, 500 and G98 that I previously owned and very very close to my GNSC 'Statement' Wadia 861se. In fact its so good that using a Big Ben with it made the sound worse so I sold the Big Ben and finally sold off my reference DAC, the Black Gate Audio Synthesis DAX Decade.

One drawback with the SB+ for me is that it doesn't have an external digital input, this would be very useful as I use the L/R digital output on the 568.2 to feed my stereo system via the digital input on the Wadia for DVD playback.

In light of the ablove drawback I've bought a Slim Devices Transporter which does have a digital input so hopefully that will solve my problem but it's currently gathering dust in the USA with one of the well know modification companies while they figure out what modifications to do on it.

Going back to the SB+, it's got great potential for modification, it has the power supply enclosed in a seperate case with plenty of space for replacement components, if the Transporter isn't up to snuff in the audio department the SB+ will be undergoing the surgeon's knife!

Regards
Gary [/b]
Before M, I come from a two channel system, very high-end essoteric stuff. I decided I wanted to simplify and M was the way to go. Now the whole family can enjoy the investment (read: movies), before it was just me listening to some serious kit. With M the possibilities opened up, the SB3 is a great example. My question is basically, how good is the SB3 or Transporter when compared to a carefully (expensive) set two channel system? I am willing to compromise, for one, I never bought into an all analogue system - though I reconize (to me) a t/t sounds better than the best CDP I've listened - with an extra ounce of warmth no CDP can reproduce.

So, will a SB3 or Transporter sound better (or just about the same) in an all M kit, than an 808 or 800? I guess the consesus is very close, but not quite. Now, is that extra X% worth the price of an 808/800? Probably no.

Some members here have two or more kits, if I could avoid that and have everything in one place - the best audio and video one kit, than, it would a bargain. To achieve that level of audio that I am looking for mean I have to buy an 808? I think the answer is probably, until M comes out with a (SB3) similar solution.

For movies I am considering the new "basic" system that Kaleidescape came out (I understand it's about $10K). I do not need the big system because we mostly watch movies in one place - if it was up to me we'd only have one TV in the house. Now music on the other hand, I could have all thruought the house; and that's where I think the SB3 could be a good alternative to me.

Anyway, that's where I think I am heading, K for movies, M for audio, SB3 for "zone" music.

Lumin A1, Shindo Aurieges, Sanders Loudspeakers. DSP5000.