I've been using Museatex/Meitner components for about six years (though I've been an audio enthusiast for three decades).

The Bidat DAC is fetching higher prices than ever these days, especially if already "updated" by the former Museatex service manager, John Wright (www.museatex.com).

The Melior DAC is a step down, but still very good.

At present I use a Meitner PA6+ preamp and two different Museatex Meitner power amps; all have been rebuilt by John Wright.

I have not yet auditioned components that I like better, and I include those up to $5K.

The STR-55 and MTR-101 mono blocs are astonishingly good amps. They're even better when updated, but you don't need to. They're not fussy about preamps, though they really shine with a PA6, PA6i or PA6+.

Museatex (Meitner and Melior) components are out there, often on Audiogon, as another poster has pointed out. Bidats are beyond my price range right now. People are asking two and three thousand US$, though I don't know what they['re actually getting.

The CDD drive is affordable, but the Bitstream DAC seems to be rising in price, probably following the Bidat. The Idat-44 is also more expensive than it used to be. But you never know where and when you find a deal. Coincidentally or not, most of the components that have remained in my system were purchased locally, or at least within the country.

But I drone on. . .

Happy listening!

Joel.

• Meitner/Museatex: specs, original prices, upgrades