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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
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.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
I would use a CD player. The best ones I've heard with a tube output is Cary.
mribob
229 posts
 
You might want to consider an Ayon CD5s. This unit has a tubed dac and preamp output stage; as well as philips professional quality transport. The DAC can handle 24/192 via usb or aes digital in. Its built well; and weighs 50lbs. There are two used units listed now for a bit more than you mentioned was your budget...but in one box you get all of what you seemed to wish for...its a great sounding unit that should get you awfully close to the SQ and flexibility you desire. It also works great direct to amp; so you could possible eliminate a preamp.
good luck.
acbc
38 posts
 
Think about the EAR Acute 3. It's an outstanding tube based CD player with the added convenience of being a DAC too. Just add a Mac or PC, or other digital front-end, as the streaming source and you've got the best of both worlds.

There are other CD/DAC combos out there as well to consider.

Good luck
newbee
4,767 posts
 
Don't overlook the Marantz SA 11s3. I got one a couple of months ago. I'm not an expert on SACD performance as this is my first one, but I was really impressed with its Redbook. In fact I was quite surprised. While not a 'tube' sound at all it does retain some of the warmth of tubes without loosing some of resolution that can occur with tubed units. It also has an input to its DAC section if you need it. I use it with an old CAL Audio transport for Jazz and I find that it really brightens up some of these old and rathur dull recordings. Moreso than just playing them with the Marantz built in transport. All in all I've very impressed, but I'm not selling my tubed stuff yet. :-)

BTW, don't forget that CDP's are all different and system synergy is very important.
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