Ever Hear a Tube CD player?

Audio Research Ref 9 is a tubed cd transport, sounds excellent. takes the “edge” off the “digital”.

I purchased a Carver CD player in 1990 having a tube output stage. I believe it retailed for $800 at that time. I purchased a dealer demo. Thought it to be quite good sounding at it's price point, and for digital at that time. 

I now use a transport with a tube DAC.

I've had a couple of tubed cd players and they sounded great.  It's just that some people are too neurotic for tubes because they constantly obsess over whether the tubes are deteriorating or always thinking about rolling in new tubes.  Same with vinyl.  I've seen audiophiles so focused on cartridge alignment and VTA, VTF, antiskate, record cleaning, etc that they can't just enjoy playing a record.  So decide what type of person you are before venturing into tubes.  

I have seen some amazing reviews of some Tube CD players and a few not so good.  I am considering bringing in Canor Audio's CD players which have a tube output stage.