Hello Stan,
After selling my AA Capitole mk II SE I have tried several different players from all price points, including - among other things - the whole Audio Aero line (wanted to stay brand loyal at first, so I tried the new Capitole Reference, Capitole Reference SE and SACD Prestige) and also the non signature EMM Labs CDSD/DCC2 combo.
None of them impressed me so much as the MBL 1531 at the time. It came as a surprise, since I have never really cared for any german Hi-Fi. The first time I switched it on, I was floored. Compared to the Capitole, the 1531 offered much higher resolution, much better bass & PRAT, better soundstage depth (surprise) and more laid back character in general (appart from the higher midrange that was a bit forward).