[Gvt1911]

Looking for a decent tubed CD player at a reasonable price...Anyone know of best bang for the buck? Hoping to keep it around 500 bucks for a preowned unit...
Thanks............

[tvad4]

I believe your best option around that price is an Eastern Electric Minimax CD player, but they run around $650 used.

A budget of $500 is pretty restricting.

[R_burke]

Don't know much about them, but these are in your price range

http://www.pacificvalve.us/cdplayers.html

[frustrated]

I have a AH Toeb cd player that I am very happy with.

[elcaptain88]

Not tubed - but w/ $500 I would get the Marantz CD-5001 ($300). I've tried the most recent Ah player and didn't think it was worth the price - although they keep good resale value. The tube buffer doesn't alter the sound all that much IMO.

[SET Man]

Hey!

    Well, the other option to consider is to get a tubed DAC and use the player that you have right now as transport. You know.... I'm currently using a $300 Sony SACD/CD 5 discs changer with my DAC. And I love it!

    I've heard 2 tubed DACs at the previous NY Rave gathering the Lite DAC (?) and Paradisea. I must say that I really the Paradisea DAC alot. The only problem about Paradisea is getting a hold of one. Well, it is pretty hot right now. You know I should have bought one before it became hot among audiophile.

    Well, good luck and keep us posted.

Take care,
Buddy

[WEEZ]

I would be more concerned about how the unit sounds than whether or not it uses tubes.

elcaptain88 had a good suggestion. Not only is the Marantz only $300; but I believe it has a 3 year warranty and it sounds more 'tube-like' than some of the tube players I've heard. Add a tube dac later if you must.

[PaulHilgeman]

I too agree with SET Man about the Paradesea.  I heard one for about an hour at the St. Louis gathering, while it was a short listen, I had heard most of the tracks before on my speakers.  It was very good, a touch closed in up top but the upper bass to lower treble were very very good.  I would definitely characterize the sound as warm, but still had good extension, not overly warm.  I think it is about $500, but probably worth it, it sounds better than most anything for $500.  The Scott Nixon DACs for less money may be a better overall value, but in absolute terms probably don't sound quite as good.  You will probably get better sound out of a system like this than you would with a stand alone player.

-Paul

[unityaudio.ca]

You might be able to find a Jolida JD100 used in your budget range................

[alotaklipsch]

Get the EE MInimax, or Xindak scd-2, in that order.  Bill from EE is just about the nicest guy in audio, and stands behind even pre-owned units.............this bests most up to 2500.  I have owned over 60 players.... :duh:JMHO

[fajimr]

I have a AH Toeb cd player that I am very happy with.

I'll second the Tjoeb.  I had a 99Tjoeb that I sold for 325.00 a screaming audio deal IMHO.  Most of what you find these days are the newer 4000s but every now and then you'll see a 99 come on a'gon.  They are very nice players although I have few to compare them to, I really liked mine and only sold it to 'try' something else.  Check out upscaleaudio.com and do a google search on the Tjoeb.  Lots of good info out there.  good luck- jim

[jottow]

Don Allen's tube CD players sell for about $500.  I recently purchased one as a backup for my Esoteric 50S and it blew it away.  It actually sound s very close to my fully modified Richard Kern Sony SCD-1 and it is not even broken in.  It has to be one of the best deals available.  Don can be reached at Email: doninphx@aol.com or phone: (602) 955-9137. 

[WEEZ]

link?

[djbnh]

You might be able to find a Jolida JD100 used in your budget range................

I second this, with the caveats that you'll want to consider upgrades to include other tubes (I use JHS Gold Label Sylvania 5751WA triple mica black plates) as well as an after-market PC (I'm using a Chris VenHaus cryoed Flavor 1). Best of luck in your quest.

[guest1632]

Don Allen's tube CD players sell for about $500.  I recently purchased one as a backup for my Esoteric 50S and it blew it away.  It actually sound s very close to my fully modified Richard Kern Sony SCD-1 and it is not even broken in.  It has to be one of the best deals available.

Hi, So do you have a link or contact info for Don Allen's CDPlayers?

Ray

[lazydays]

I'm listening to a Jolida CD100A as I right this. I've had mine now for almost five years, and still use the OEM tubes. Have several pairs of new tubes to try, but just have not had the time to swap them out.
   This unit seems tobe a little cable sensitive, and a good cable will make a world of difference with it. I use a Zu cable that's built for digital music (don't ask me what it is, as my memory bank is short). The player sounds really nice with 24/96 mixed cd's, but most are the usual 16 bit masters. I do have many 20 bit cd's though, and you can hear the difference.
    In the same system there is a Marantz 8260 that I've came to love. But after listening to it for about a year now I think I like redbook from the Jolida slightly better. Seems to be a little less edgy (but this maybe the listener or once again the cables I use with the Marantz).
    In my bedroom system I use a Cal Delta (it's got a lot of age on it) feeding a "half nelson" MSB DAC. I have about $600 in the whole shabang. Have gave some serious thought to buying a better DAC, but have not made the move yet.
The sound from it is similar to the Jolida, but maybe slightly better bass. The only real way to tell would be to put it in the downstairs system to compare, and I'm too danged lazy.
gary

[Cheers!]

Is the Marantz CC4001 5 Disc CD Carousel the same as the Marantz CC5001 but just with 5 disc ability? In terms of sound quality?