Yes this turntable has got a wonderful desigen and craftmanship... but sound..... I am using also a turntable from Germany it is the SRA Seismograph II, I use it with 2 tonearms and 2 pickups, for one I use a cheap Audio technica mono system and sound is much better than any other turntable I have ever heard (Transrotor, SME, Simon York, Clearauido, Reed, Linn, Brinkmann, VPI, Micro Seiki...) regardless of the price. Do not forget a good Phonostage.
The Classe gear does not sound slow to me. I started with building a surround sound system for my basement. That is why I purchased the Classe gear. Then I really wanted a two channel system as well. I do home theater bypass with the CP-700 and SSP 600. . I upgraded from B&W 802D's speakers to the Sonus Faber Amati's. That was a huge upgrade in many ways. I feel that my TT and Simaudio 810 Preamp along with the Amati's are a good start for a great two channel system. I primarily listen to vinyl.
I am currently looking at adding an Audio Research Ref 6 to replace my two channel CP-700 pre-amp. I am also thinking about moving up to the IL Cremonese speakers. I love the Sonus Faber speakers!
