RE: well ...

"I'd never consider the original Planet "light handed". In comparison to other players, it came across as a bit heavy handed, overly warm, thicker in nature, and certainly not the "fastest" player I've encountered. It's consistently added a false sense of reverb/depth to the mix, not nearly as transparent as its competition (or even cheaper models). But that was never it's main strength, which remains it's overall warmth and a much better than average upper octave extension ... and tonal consistency during complex passages (not a "screamer")."

Actually, it's a bit rolled off on top. So is the Saturn. That is part of how they get the "warmth". But I used to think the way you did until I left it running for a few days with a CD. I was astonished as to how open and quick it sounded. I never said that it sounded bright. It always sounded a bit warm, largely due to lack of extension in the high end as well as lack of midrange detail.

"It's kinda ironic that you compared it to cartridges in tonality, because in my books, the original Planet was "voiced" to sound like Analog(warm and emotional) when digital then, sounded "digital" in the worst sense of the word. That said, if I had to compare it to a cartridge, it's more Grado than Lyra. As stated, to my ears, Rega obviously voiced this CDP to sound "analog" ... and even though I'm a huge analog fan who considers vinyl superior, my favorite sounding digital players are far more transparent, less "analog" and obviously less coloured in nature."

Again, I never said "bright" for the original Planet. Lyras, to me, are all about speed and detail. They are not about warmth. I wouldn't say neutral, because I think they are on the lean side of neutral. They are quick and sort things out quite well.

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