Summary:
Look no further...this is the one that MUST be in your list!YBA CD 2 ALPHA is THE BEST that I have ever heard!

Here's the story:

Yes! I am hearing from a turntable...a really fine turntable. Oops!? This masterpiece from YBA fools me while I was chit-chatting with a friend in the showroom.
I stopped all conversation (though she is a gorgeous lady) the moment the prettier YBA started to sing!
How could this be a CD playback sound?...I asked myself with much confusion.
Immediately, I positioned myself & there was nothing else at that moment which was worth focus on other than the music. It was simply an unbelievable musical enjoyment!
The last time that I have this kind of musical enjoyment (other than live performance) was before I kept both of my Thoren & J.A.Michell Engineering Ltd turntables in the store room.
I have never love CD playback sound though I have no choice but to follow the technology trend. Most audiophiles would agree with me that CD has not been able to replace the LP playback sound in terms of musicality & naturality.
No! I am not implying that the YBA is better sounding than a LP player but definitely come very close to it...so close that I almost have to slap my own face regarding the comment on the CD playback sound.
I had been a hi-fi showroom product advisor (for some other brands) & a soundman in the broadcasting station, never have I come across any CD players that is as seductive as this YBA CD2 ALPHA!
I am not a salesman from YBA neither have I got any link with YBA but this baby truly is the BEST I have ever encountered!
It definitely worth more marketing exposure than what the YBA is doing now.
Pardon me because I have really fall in love with it.
There are quite a number of choices out there at this price tag (S$6900 S.R.P.) but I personally prefer this YBA to the Krell, Meridien, Wadia, Marantz...etc...
It is the best substitude if u are sick of the troubles that a LP plackback system may give you.
"Oh...YBA CD 2 ALPHA, how I wish I can afford you!" This is sincerely my highest recommendation to anyone who has got the cash but has not tried it yet!

Summary:
I recently bought YBA CD2a and mached it with my YBA1a pre/power.The result is heavenly smooth tranparent and above all musical If you are a music lover you should shortlist this CD player.Congratulations to Y.B.A not only for the construction but for his personal involvement into it.
Five stars plus
Keep up with the good work Yves

Summary:
In 1992 I bought a complete YBA system : pre/amplifier model 2 + CD player CD3. I then upgraded to CD3 Alpha and recently to CD2 Alpha. I have M.Logan SL3 loudspeakers. Here's my opinion after this upgrade.Wonderful ! Women voices (R.Pidgeon, H.Merill) keep their marvelous fluidity and gain consistency. Piano (W.Bernhardt:Hand On) gains volume, keeping a realistic size. Bass extension (external dedicated power supply for analog circuits) gives a new dimension to your CDs (classical, jazz, pop). Ex: the soundstage in E.Clapton:Unplugged.
Nothing changed ... everything is better.