tube cd players

rosconey · « **on:** 31 Dec 2003, 11:16 am »

who has one
what brand is it
how does it sound

i cant afford a 1000$ plus for one, but the njoe is 700$ and a jolida is about 750$-or even a used one

or have people used a tube dac and gotten as good or better results

thanx

ps get a ride tonight if you party -want to see everyone here tomorrow

JLM · « **Reply #1 on:** 31 Dec 2003, 11:53 am »

For all in one box solutions I'd start with Music Hall/Shanling:

CD-25 (about $550), well built, no op-amps

RAM version (about $950), I believe this is the only CD player that Modwright does

Maverick SACD (about $1,500), similar product, actually preferred over the Shanling T200 for warm/tube systems.

Maverick SACD mods (about $2,000)

Shanling T-100 CD and T-200 SACD (about $2,000 - 4,300) good sound, best looks on the planet (especially if you're into 1950's SciFi looks with tubes).

Check out Response Audio here at the circle and the professional reviews.

byteme · « **Reply #2 on:** 31 Dec 2003, 01:24 pm »

Roscony,

You may want to check out Heart modified Marantz players. Very highly reviewed at TNT audio and enjoy the music. Reasonably priced too!

About a year or so ago I was looking at these until I ran across the Scott Nixon Tubedac - I've got it coupled with a Sony DVP-S7700 as a transport. Total spend $350 (tubedac) $110 (upgraded power supply) $75 (HDXV Digital Cable) $250 (transport) for a total of $785 - and the best part is now I don't think about my digital front end anymore!! Yes, it's that good!

Here are the links -

http://www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/heartcd6000le_e.html
http://www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/heartcd6000_e.html
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0102/heartcd6000.htm

Good luck!

mattybumpkin · « **Reply #3 on:** 31 Dec 2003, 03:19 pm »

I have the RAM CD25 and think it is a great player and a very good value for the money. If I recall, there was one for sale on A'gon for $750 I think. Don't know if still there or not though.

"M"

markC · « **Reply #4 on:** 31 Dec 2003, 07:42 pm »

You my also want to think about a QDS-15, (OEM for the out of production Nohr CD-1). I bought mine direct from everestasia and saved $250 compared to Norh's price. It's been a great all round performer, and tube rolling has yielded substantial improvements. They still have it listed on their website here: http://www.everestasia.com/Q%20for%20quality_product.htm

randog · « **Reply #5 on:** 31 Dec 2003, 08:01 pm »

Mark, I have a Norh CD-1 and it has a hard time playing CD-R's. How new is your unit? I'm curious if they've done anything to improve on that. Also, what was the delivered cost from everestasia? How long did it take?

Thanks,
Randog

DARTH AUDIO · « **Reply #6 on:** 31 Dec 2003, 08:24 pm »

rosconey, Under a grand you can't beat the Jolida JD100 tube CD player. I have rolled the tubes to NOS Telefunkens. Also, down the road it can be modified for around $700 bucks. Makes this CD player a real giant killer. This CD player is great for me because I only play CD's 5% of the time

The rest of the time it's Vinyl..

Hope this helps..

bubbles · « **Reply #7 on:** 31 Dec 2003, 09:26 pm »

Hi,

I use a Cal Audiolab ALPHA dac, I think it's the muts nuts,wipes the floor with my older micromega concept dac.

Bill Baker · « **Reply #8 on:** 31 Dec 2003, 10:29 pm »

Quote

CD-25 (about $550), well built, no op-amps

RAM version (about $950), I believe this is the only CD player that Modwright does

Actually the stock CD25 does have opamps. They are removed in our RAM Signature modifications along with the feedback. You could purchase a stock unit and have it modified down the road if you get the urge.

RAM CD25 - $1,295 ($950 is misquoted)

Quote

I have the RAM CD25 and think it is a great player and a very good value for the money. If I recall, there was one for sale on A'gon for $750 I think.

The player advertised on A-Gon has the variable output option using a TKD pot. Also has additional set of outputs. Maybe even Bybee filters? About a $1,500 value so $750 is a steal and it still under transferable warranty.

Quote

Under a grand you can't beat the Jolida JD100 tube CD player

Yes, the Jolida is a great value. Be careful of modded units as some say it takes away from the tube signature that makes this player so desireable. Listen to it stock first if you can.

I hope this post falls within the guidelines of this forum in regards to my responding to the mention of the RAM CD25, just wanted to clear up what this used piece had for options. It is NOT being sold by myself but rather the original purchaser.

MaxCast · « **Reply #9 on:** 31 Dec 2003, 10:50 pm »

No problems, Bill.

Happy New Year,

rosconey · « **Reply #10 on:** 31 Dec 2003, 11:04 pm »

surprised no one has the njoe

i would grab the ram cd25 off ebay in a instant -but i just started my biggest job so far (5000sqft of tile)and my george is in limbo so i can pay some buddies to give me a hand this weekend and get the job done a little quicker and make my new contactor happy

and its going to be a bitch -its a checker board pattern , but the squares are 3'x3' and the 2 different colors varry 1/8 inch in size-black is 11 5/8-grey is 11 3/4- makes layout a real bitch

so a 3x3 of grey is 3/8 " larger than the 3x3 black-so the grout joints(hehehe joints)vary in size and it looks like crap.but i didnt design it.

if no one has ever told you before -architects are worthless, the dumbest hardest headed idiots out there become them, ties cut off blood to the brain

enough of my ramble
everyone keep it sane and safe tonight

beat · « **Reply #11 on:** 1 Jan 2004, 12:11 am »

I totally dig my jolida. I really wanted to check out the Nixon DAC with my next system but that will have to come later.

zeke · « **Reply #12 on:** 1 Jan 2004, 01:57 am »

I have a Tjoeb 99 and a Audionote CD2 . I like both, but the Audio note better. The $2000 retail Audionotes are going for $500 to $700 used. I haven't heard the cd2.1's or 3.1's, but they are reported to sound better .......

markC · « **Reply #13 on:** 1 Jan 2004, 06:48 am »

Quote from: randog

Mark, I have a Norh CD-1 and it has a hard time playing CD-R's. How new is your unit? I'm curious if they've done anything to improve on that. Also, what was the delivered cost from everestasia? How long did it take?

Thanks,
Randog

My unit is 1 1/2 yrs old and to date have had 0 probs. Have not tried CDR's, as I only play redbooks. My cost delivered was $us 550. It shipped in 1 week.

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #14 on:** 1 Jan 2004, 11:48 am »

Quote from: rosconey

surprised no one has the njoe

I have the Njoe Tjoeb with upgraded power cord, rolled tubes but no upsampler and am relatively happy with it, but don't know how it stacks up against the other contenders. I've compared it recently to using my DVD player with an older DAC (Parts Connection Assemblage) and find the Njoe more musical, but that might be different if using a better digital cable and a tubed DAC of more modern pedigree.

When going for the best sonic experience, I always opt for vinyl (and I'm suprisingly using a flawed technology of a belt-driven table). I'm not sure if that indicates a shortcoming in my player or a limitation of the digital medium.

Redbone · « **Reply #15 on:** 1 Jan 2004, 06:06 pm »

I have the Njoe Tjoeb 4000 with upsampler and power cord. My whole system is in such limbo that I don't feel comfortable reviewing it at this time. It replaced an old Sony CD player that I had and the improvement was enormous on my old system. The Tjoeb does take awhile to break in, like weeks, and until it does the high frequencies are not clean and clear. At some point I will get an external DAC and do a comparison. It is certainly a good player, but I honestly don't know how it compares to other high end players.

What I can tell you is that these Tube CD players produce a sound more like vinyl. Some folks still prefer vinyl, and indeed I do prefer some of the sound characteristics of the old LPs, but I gave up on them years ago, they just can't compete with digital in the higher frequencies, IMO. If you have a specific question about the Tjoeb, I will try to field it.

jqp · « **Reply #16 on:** 1 Jan 2004, 07:11 pm »

Quote from: randog

Mark, I have a Norh CD-1 and it has a hard time playing CD-R's. How new is your unit? I'm curious if they've done anything to improve on that. Also, what was the delivered cost from everestasia? How long did it take?

Thanks,
Randog

I have a CD-1 and I have never had a problem playing CD-Rs.

rosconey · « **Reply #17 on:** 2 Jan 2004, 10:48 am »

thanx guys

i decided to get a tempest pre instead (has to be a big improvment over my rxv1 as a pre)
tube cd will have to wait afew months or so
emailed the company that made the qds 15-see what happens as far as price

my cheap philips player keeps sounding better and better so a nixon dac or the qds15 are top of my list(can you say cheap ass bastard)
but i dont know how well the dac in the philips player is and how it will work with the tempest (use digital out & dac in the reciever now) so who knows

byteme · « **Reply #18 on:** 2 Jan 2004, 01:42 pm »

Roscony,

Try a Nixon. I first had mine hooked up to a Sherwood Newcastle CD980 that I got for $150 as a transport. It sounded good even then! Are you a cheap ass bastard? No, I'd say more interested in quality sound than throwing money around - that way there is more for the next thing!!

hifitommy · « **Reply #19 on:** 4 Jan 2004, 08:27 pm »

a great d/a that you can add to your drive. most cdps have a dig out. image city.