[jefemeister]

Do you guys really think the Shanling, Jadis, Metronome, etc are good looking or are they just unique/extravagant? Personally I find them all hideous. If you like that look, buy a Clearaudio turntable!

I really do like the Wadia 861 the most. The new Meridian design is very nice as well, except I wish they were 17" across. Accuphase also does a nice job.

edit: can't spell to save my life.

 

[darkclouds]

I vote for the SCD-1 but then I'm also biased.

I like the big wadias as well. Simple and elegant, much like the SCD-1. Electrocompaniet are nice too.

Sorry to say but that Jadis is just ugly. Some of those extreme designs will catch my attention but I'd hate to have it in my living room after the novelty wears out. Although I do like the shanling, just because I like tubes.

 

[lini]

jefemeister: Yes and no. As for the Metronome, I like it - its design says "I want to look interesting" to me. As for the Jadis and the Oracle, I don't like these - their design tells me "I want to look posh".

Took a look at the Wadias - and Meridian's stuff (were you referring to the G series?), too. For the Wadias, I find the 861 a bit boring - but the 302 looks elegant, cute & sturdy. The Meridian G series looks so-so to me - not bad and somewhat elegant, but not really interesting, either... Whereas the Mark Levinson 390S (http://www.marklevinson.com/products...cd&prod=no390s) also looks very classy to me.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[D-EJ915]

The hottest redbook, DVD-A, and SACD player.

Quote:

Also new from Theta this year is the "Compli" universal disc player, claimed compatible with all 5" optical disc formats, including DVD, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM, DVD-ROM, DVD-A, CD, SACD, Video CD, CD-R, CD-RW, Photo CD, and more. The $4500 player combines a high-quality DVD/CD transport with state-of-the-art processing, according to Theta President Neil Sinclair. Options for the Compli include a Serial Digital Interface (SDI) and Theta's Ultra Sync II 480p-output board using Faroudja Labs' Directional Correlational Deinterlacing (DCDi) technology. The SDI keeps the signal in the digital domain, rather than subject it to further conversions to analog and back again. This avoids major sources of degradation, which can be noticeable in high-definition video systems. "With Compli, the long wait for a high-quality universal format player has finally ended," Sinclair said. "Its unique blend of uncompromised performance, flexibility and advanced technology make it ideal for any high-end home theater or home entertainment application."

 

[kartik]

Quote:

Originally posted by jefemeister I really do like the Wadia 861 the most.

I wonder why you like the Wadia? Hmmmm....!

 

[00940]

I actually kinda like the look of the CEC tl-1X (i know it's a transport)

 

[Mr.PD]

I've always liked the Oracle. The Jadis is nice, but I don't care for the wood part. I don't like that style of wood, that's why I don't drive a Jaguar either.

I have never seen any of those in person. I suppose they look quite different than in the photos.
I agree about the classy look of the Mark Levinson player. Very nice.
The Moon Audio Eclipse looks interesting.

 

[lini]

Quote:

Originally posted by D-EJ915 The hottest redbook, DVD-A, and SACD player.

I don't know - I think the company logo should have been smaller and less blinking (I guess, I would prefer an engraved logo...). And maybe it would look better without the Faroudja DCDi logo, too. In addition, have you noticed that the font for the "Universal Player / Transport" writing under the tray seems smaller - and to me also better looking - in your second picture compared to pic 1 and 3?

And just btw, another redbook player that looks nice to me (and it's an interesting model, because it also features digital inputs and can thus serve as dac or digital preamp - similar to the ML above...) - the Quad 99 CD-P: http://www.quad-hifi.co.uk/99cdp.htm

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

P.S.: Admittedly, this design discussion is totally vain - but I enjoy it, nevertheless!

 

[theaudiohobby]

Quote:

Originally posted by lini Admittedly, this design discussion is totally vain - but I enjoy it, nevertheless!

I concur

, a refreshing change

 

[lini]

Some more nice cdp designs...

...from France - Mircomega Minium CD3: http://www.son-video.com/Rayons/Hifi...omega_CD3.html

...also from France - the Atoll players: http://www.atoll-electronique.com/lecteurcd.php

...from Germany - the AVM players: http://www.avm-audio.com/products/cd.html

...from Italy - the Audio Analogue Paganini: http://www.audioanalogue.com/inglese...i/paganini.htm

...and Cambridge Audio's new Azur models from the UK look elegant to me, too:

- the 540C: http://www.son-video.com/Rayons/Hifi...geAzur540.html

- and the 640C: http://www.son-video.com/Rayons/Hifi...geAzur640.html

Uhoh, I'd better stop now - to suppress an immediate outburst of collectitis...

Grinnings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[kartik]

Vanity must be good for something... ...Oh it's a sin?...Well anyway I'm ok with this kind of sin!

 

[Zanth]

Quote:

Originally posted by jefemeister Do you guys really think the Shanling, Jadis, Metronome, etc are good looking or are they just unique/extravagant? Personally I find them all hideous. If you like that look, buy a Clearaudio turntable!

Unique...extravagant...or just cool looking however you want to describe it is all good

I mean beauty IS in the eye of the beholder afterall. What you think is hideous others see as a work of art and as for going with a Clearaudio turntable, I do not like their looks ironically yet you recommend them. See how this works?

As for the Wadia, yes its nice, but really its just another black box amongst a zillion others. Not that that is BAD but nothing too original non? Again, I do think it is really nice and built like a tank etc etc. But as for the nicest looking...well...when it comes to a black box we could start throwing in preamps and amps right away since they can look so similar

 

[D-EJ915]

Quote:

Originally posted by lini In addition, have you noticed that the font for the "Universal Player / Transport" writing under the tray seems smaller - and to me also better looking - in your second picture compared to pic 1 and 3?

The 2nd pic looks the least "photo-shootish" of the 3.

OH!!...this is weird, the display is smaller on the 2nd pic too...that's weird.

 

[immtbiker]

The BAT sure looks nice on the inside:

 

[kartik]

I reiterate ZAnth's point about black boxes and the BAT. Think art, art nouveau!