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Tubed cdp that can be hooked up to amp directly.

I'm looking for a tubed cdp that I can hook up directly to my amp (BelCanto 200.2). The dealer I've spoken to mentioned that while some cdp offer volume control that allows for this, the sound quality/loss of information is usually coupled. I'm not sure if he's referring to all cdp (we were looking at the Shanling), or just that one in particular. Does anyone have any experience with this and also which tubed cdp would you recommend for this configuration. I'm looking for something $2,000.00 or less (new or used) with emphasis on warmth, tranparency, detail, with sweet upper mid-hi.

Thanks

Mike
mhu
lohkkw51e5
13 posts
 
Gee, I've been so clearly outvoted here that I need to reconsider whether everybody else is right and I'm wrong. But if it's better to go straight from CDP to power amp, I wonder why more people don't do this, rather than spending a bundle on a preamp, quite often as much as the power amp. Many music only systems these days consist of only one source (CD), so why doesn't every CDP manufacturer provide 2 sets of analog outputs (one fixed and one variable) so there's the option of hooking up direct to a power amp?
tireguy
1,964 posts
 
Most companies that sell cd players like to sell preamps as well, hence make more money. I think there are fewer one source only guys out there then you think, but more are becoming one source folks, for a number of reasons. Also more cd players are equiped with fair-good volume controls then ever before, there is a demand for it and the manufacturer's are answering. Some of the best cd players I have listened to have volume controls- and even the good ones that don't have a built in volume control I would opt to use a passive volume control a unit like the placette RVC and that's it. Preamps add a lot of cost for what they really do- I do understand it is very difficult and expensive to build a good preamp- it just seems like a lot of wasted money.

I would agree with using a preamp with some of the units that use digital volume control, in some systems that sounds really bad. Wadia and accuphase are the 2 that come to my mind as using digital volume control that can detract from the music.
jdlepera's avatar
jdlepera
234 posts
 
Search here and AA for my comments on the Xindak.Very good direct to amp with little loss in dynamics if any.Thinking of selling my BAT.Has XLR and SE varible outputs.Far and away the best Bang for the Buck at its price point and you get SACD.Better think twice and listen before getting any Shanling or Sony for CD or SACD playback.Why are folks spending more than 1k for modding Sonys and Shanlings.They spend more for modds than I have in my lightly modded Xindak.Not much to mod on the Xindak just some minor tweeking.Shanling mods only=$1240 plus $350 more to upgrade the op amps.Xindak has no op amps in the analog output stage.Name anyone who thinks ANY op amps are a good thing.JD
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