2. digital
  3. 1207700281

Tube CD player w/ balanced output

Greetings,
My first post after much lurking. I have started to upgrade my system bit by bit; as a result I have decided to finally abandon my bias against digital audio. My amp is a McIntosh 6900 so I would like something w/ balanced output to take full advantage of the options the McIntosh offers. I recently heard a couple of tube CD players (a Raysonic 168 and a Consonance 220T I think) and was quite impressed with the results. I'd like to spend say $1000 or under if possible. I admit to being new to the audiophile world after hovering at its edges for some time, especially when it comes to CD players, so if you think I'm looking in the wrong direction please let me know. Any advice, suggestions, etc. are greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Jo
aquabahn
aquabahn OP
8 posts
 
Mitch2,
Thanks for that info on the Lector. I thought that might be the case and your post confirms it. Alas, I don't have the scratch to afford the Digidrive combo. Right now I think my two prime options are the Raysonic 128 or 168 or the Consonance 2.2 Mk II. The Doge 6 remains a dark horse along with the Lector.
dgordonl
128 posts
 
Aquabahn,
If you have to choose between the Raysonics the 168 is far better than the 128..
better transport,dual dacs,volume control so you can use it without a preamp.
ludimagis
130 posts
 
If you can, audition a Cambridge Audio Azur 840c ($1100-used) Has balanced out and I think you will be very impressed.
aquabahn OP
8 posts
 
Have read some rave reviews for the 840C and will add it to the list, thanks for the tip. Would prefer the Raysonic 168; it's more a matter of finding it for the right price. It doesn't seem to turn up used very often as of yet. One question: is there a difference between the balanced out on the 168 vs. the 128? The 168 is described on Raysonic's website as "True balanced". Another review I read (can't remember where) described the 168 as having "fully differentiated balanced output" or something to that effect. Is there a difference and how significant is it? Again, thanks all for the input
ludimagis
130 posts
 
Although I'm not certain I would think that the 2 terms mean the same thing (true internal balanced). Some gear has xlr in/out puts but they are for convenience and the inside wiring is not balanced.
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