Jolida J100, Shanling CDT100, or 640C with DAC?

It's a tough call between 3 and 4. There is a soft spot in my heart for the Sim, but the Audio Mirror DAC has been an excellent companion to my Alesis CDP which I am using as a transport. Option 4 will save you some money.

As a side note. I'm a big tube fan (amp, preamp, and phono stage). If you have not done so already I implore you to email or speak to Vlad at Audio Mirror as to why he did not build a tube DAC. If you don't have any other components that are tube based, a tube CDP like the Jolida with excellent NOS tubes can add a nice touch (I'm not a big fan of Shanling) to your system. However, a home audition with the Audio Mirror would be my first choice. If it doesn't work out send it back. You could also list it on Audiogon and sell it immediately for near cost. Heck I'm even considering buying another one.

Good luck with your decision. Really, other than the Shanling IMO you will be happy. Just happier with the Audio Mirror ;)

Aball,

We're probably talking apples and oranges here but assuming that a good digital cable is used with good PCs for the 640c and Audio Mirror, I would venture to say that set up would best the Jolida. Maybe not by a lot depending on other system parameters, but we're talking maybe $750 for a D1 and a good digital cable, versus approximately $1000 for the Jolida with NOS tubes. That's a $250 cost difference to go along with the improvement in sound. JMHO of course.

I'm not down on the Jolida. I even considered buying the Jolida and the D1. That way if I wanted the tube sound I could use the JD 100 as a CDP and if I wanted to use solid state I would use the JD 100 as a transport with the D1. Best of both worlds.

Rkerv - you may want to consider the above scenario. Then sell off or return what you don't need. Jolida's are a easy sell as well. Not to mention a number of dealers on Audiogon who will let you try it out first.

Sorry, but I have to put a word in for Shanling. The sound is okay out of the box but can be improved with just a tube change. The way to make it really make it sing is to get the unit modified by Reference Audio Mods. I had mine done by Kyle and it is impressive. Not too bad to look at either, a real conversational piece.

If there are tubes in the signal chain already- amp or preamp -why not a non tube CDP? Greatly expands the number of good to very good CDP's to consider.

Entrope,

Very good thought and one that influenced my decision. There is such a thing as too much warmth.