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CD player with Tube Output or Music Server

I play CD’s through an upgraded Audio Space CD8 player from Underwood HiFi. It can be played as solid state or tubed output. To my ear, the tubed output is smoother and seems to have more substance. It definitely sounds less digital through the tubes. I enjoy the player very much and it is definitely the best I have heard in my system compared to mid priced offerings from Sony, Rega, and Cambridge Audio.

The rest of my system is Maggie 3.6’s with W4S Preamp and ST1000 amp. I also run a Technics table with an Ortofon cartridge from KABUSA. The table is more organic and live sounding compared to the CD player.

Anyway… the upgrade bug is starting to itch so I visited my local hi end dealer in the Midwest.

He tried to talk me out of a CD player entirely. He attended the last Las Vegas audio show and was pushing a Naim music server and a DAC for around $5500. He tried to convince me that the Hi resolution capability of this combo would blow away a comparably priced dedicated CD player. He would not even show me his CD players!

So.....

1. What are your thoughts about what this dealer is telling me?

I am kind of convinced that I still want the dedicated CD player because I am not sold on computer audio. It just seems too hi tech for me....also, I am not so sure I need $5000 worth of Naim equipment to get the high resolution sound.

2. What are your thoughts about a good CD player that would be a significant upgrade that would sound live and smooth? I am thinking about the $5000 range new or around half much that used.

I appreciate any and all feedback!
dsper
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
I've had the Naim servers here from customers. They are no where near the SQ of a decent CD player or transport. They can be decent with a reclocker following them and a good DAC.

If you want a good CD player, get the PSAudio transport and PWD combo and connect them with I2S HDMI cable. You can do computer audio with the PWD later if you want to. The I2S can be driven from an Off-Ramp 5 for instance.

Another killer system is Off-Ramp 5 driving I2S to the Wired 4 Sound DAC2. With cables and Mac Mini, its under $5K total. Some reviews:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=112012.0

Combo also mentioned in the latest TAS issue by Steven Stone.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
brownsfan
1,508 posts
 
Look into a ModWright Oppo 105. It has digital in, so you can use it as a DAC and you also get a superb redbook/SACD player by all accounts.
newbee
4,767 posts
 
OK for your dealer to pitch his product, but not allowing you to compare with a CDP is a red flag because he must feel that it would underpin all of his arguments re the sale he is trying to make. Who needs a dealer like this?

Personally I will stick with CDP's or transports and DAC's. It's simpler both in concept and execution. And with some careful selection you will be able to find such with a tone that is synergistic with your system and tonal preferences. They really do sound quite different from each other and its nice to maintain this flexibility.
ricred1
2,051 posts
 
I'm looking into getting a new CD player and a dealer recommended a Tri CD player. http://www.avhub.com.au/index.php/Product-Reviews/Hi-Fi/tri-trv-cd4se-cd-player-review.html
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
i think it is possible to combine a "server" with a dac, using the appropriate digital cable and get "better" performance than your cd player. i realize this is a conjecture, since i have not heard your cd player.

however, i have heard many cd players, dacs and transports and own tube cd players and dac and transport.

the digital interface can make a big difference.

right now, i am using the ps audio perfect wave combo with a fusion audio gold interconnect as a digital player and it has more of the tube characteristics than many tube cd players.

it is the best digital front end i have heard in my system.

i would even make you a hypothetical wager that i would prefer my digital front end to your cd player.
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