[Nikko]

rblnr, trust me, if the Joule was better than the Melos I would have been all over it in a heartbeat. I'm just looking for an excuse to ditch my Melos so I don't have to deal with the headaches. I want something that's in production and has decent service available for it. I was stunned when I listened to the Joule. While it was very good it didn't connect me to the music like my Melos does. I wish I had my Melos here at the same time as the Joule so I could have A/B'd them, but having lived with the Melos for 5 years I'm intimately familiar with it's sound. I really don't think you can beat a SHA Gold Reference or Music Director without spending an enormous amount of money. And that really sucks!

[rblnr]

Nikko/Doug,

The whole Melos customer 'service' fiasco stinks, as does the notion that for the money nothing is as good.  I've alot more listening to do before I can fully corroborate the latter notion -- but above are two strong votes for it.

I hear that the Cary 2002 is a big step up from the 98, this from the designer.  The Melos had such a powerful and transparent sound in my system.  I've heard the VTL in two systems now, the first w/VTL amps and a Cary CD player and Audio Physic Virgo speakers -- it sounded good and better than any of the expensive prepros I substituted it for it thus putting the final nail in that coffin for me.  Great, alive system.

Also heard the VTL w/a Meridian CD player, Classe Omega amp and Wilson Audio speakers; the sound was so laid-back, recessed, and mellow, I thought it would be the perfect choice for a high-end funeral home.  But then if having to choose, I prefer a more forward presentation vs. laid-back.  Having said that, I've never been engaged by a system w/Classe amps.  Guess I don't get them.

I'm hoping to go buy a local dealer who carries Cary, Rogue, Audio Research (LS 16mkII), and Quicksilver later this week.  We'll see.

I'm also tempted to listen to a Meridian system again, but probably can't afford it.  I'm beginning to believe they know more about digital music than just about anyone else.

[Kishore]

I had heard Joule Mk3 and Cary 2002 pre-clearly Joule brought out more details and transients better than Cary. This is my subjective opinion ofcourse

Cheers,
Kishore