Recommendation on Tube CD Player?

Xi-Trum · « **on:** 4 Jan 2005, 04:05 pm »

I'm looking for a tube CD player. Any recommendations for one? Budget is about $500.

Other components in the chain are: Bent Preamp -> Ampzilla 2K -> VMPS RM40.

Thanks.

Marbles · « **Reply #1 on:** 4 Jan 2005, 04:17 pm »

I don't think you could do better than Carlmans Eastern Electric he has on sale in the Trading Post. He's asking $600......

GerryD · « **Reply #2 on:** 4 Jan 2005, 10:22 pm »

I haven't heard the Minimax, but that price($600) is very good. I own the Jolida JD-100A and like it quite a bit. There are some available on Audiogon now for under $600.

F-100 · « **Reply #3 on:** 4 Jan 2005, 10:35 pm »

What do you guys think of this one?

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlplay&1108697019

jswallac · « **Reply #4 on:** 4 Jan 2005, 10:48 pm »

That one on Agon is a rebadged Bada CDP. They use to be listed over at nysound.com. I do not know anything about it other than it is one of many CDPs coming out of China. If you want to go that route you should also consider the Shengya units. There are several threads here on them. I use to own a Kavent integrated amp. kavent is made by Shengya. Really solid build. The owners of the Shengya all seem to give it high praise. The downside with any of these new Chinese products is that they do not have much history over here. therefore it is hard to say how dependable they will be and how hard it will be to get service. A safer bet may be to look for a used Jolida (still made in China, but backed with great service by an American company that has the design) or a used AH! Tjoeb (Upscale Audio has been importing these for some time).

JLM · « **Reply #5 on:** 5 Jan 2005, 12:02 am »

For $670 you can get a Decware 685 (a Sony 5-Disc DVD/CD/SACD Changer, Model DVPNC685V that has been modded by Decware). The mods to this player involve installing a tube output stage that completely replaces the stock output stage by connecting directly to the 24/192 DAC chip. The tube stage is triode, run in class A, single-ended and uses no negative feedback. We were able to leave the stock output stage un-touched and fully functional. You can use either or both. The output of the tube stage is slightly higher then stock ensuring plenty of dynamics and weight. The entire tube stage is wired point-to-point on the back of the tube socket with no circuit boards. The tube plugs into the back of the player making tube rolling easy since you don't have to take any covers off.

http://decware.com/SACD/sacd.htm

djbnh · « **Reply #6 on:** 5 Jan 2005, 03:25 am »

I too like the Jolida JD-100. Perhaps a used unit might fit your budget. However, if you are rolling some NOS 5751s, you might be way over budget; thus, Carlman's Minimax might be a better fit for your wallet.

Xi-Trum · « **Reply #7 on:** 5 Jan 2005, 02:05 pm »

Thanks, guys. I'll look into the recommendations. In the mean time, please keep them coming.

nhtran · « **Reply #8 on:** 5 Jan 2005, 03:14 pm »

Used Heart CD6000.

Horizons · « **Reply #9 on:** 5 Jan 2005, 09:20 pm »

I would buy a dirt cheap transport like the Toshiba 3960 and hook it up to the Nixon Non OS, filterless DAC with tube output stage.

jcoat007 · « **Reply #10 on:** 5 Jan 2005, 11:12 pm »

Quote from: Horizons

Is it morally wrong to be turned on by your own avatar?

Uh, No!

jswallac · « **Reply #11 on:** 6 Jan 2005, 03:19 am »

Not to hijack the thread, but Horizon's idea of a Scott Nixon TubeDac along with one of the inexpensive players like the Toshibas or the Pioneer 563A seems like a great idea. Kind of like the best of all worlds on the cheap. For example, with the Pioneer you have a universal player, so you can play DVD-A, SACD, along with redbook. Throw in the TubeDac and you have great redbook. A question. Will this combination result in the same sort of tube analog stage as the one box players like the Minimax, Jolida, etc.?

Lord_Magnepan · « **Reply #12 on:** 6 Jan 2005, 01:41 pm »

I heard a "Shanling" CD Player once which was quite nice. I dont know how much they are used tough.

-Flo

jermmd · « **Reply #13 on:** 6 Jan 2005, 02:28 pm »

I have the Xindac tubed CD player and it sounds wonderful. Unfortunately, I can't recommend it entirely because it has trouble reading certain CD's. I too am looking for a tubed CD sound in a multidisc player. I love my Sony 400 disc CD player for ease of use, random play, and programming. I wonder if the tube dac would sound good attached to one of the multiplayers?

Joe M.

vsr123 · « **Reply #14 on:** 6 Jan 2005, 04:46 pm »

If you are open to buying a chinese CDP from overseas, then take a look at this model - Original A8T (T for Tube). Chinese audiophiles rate this highly - higher than Shengya and Shanling at the similar range.

The A8T should run you about US$600 to 700 with shipping, but I dont think you get warranty on these units.

I have been told that their flagship CD player (Da vinci) is nothing but the famous Ikemi CD player. The Da Vinci will run you about $1000 or so

The Jolida JD100 is nothing but the Original A6 but with a tube output

www.lua.de
http://www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/jolida-jd100_e.html

Cayin CDT15A - another good choice

On a personal note, I have a Shanling CD-T80 (brand new) with full warranty (minus one week) that I am looking to sell. It combines the best of the T100 and the S100. Its a tube output with a variable volume.

cheers
Sridhar