Recommendation for vacuum tube CD-player

Audio Aero Prima. Make sure it is the latest model. At a cheaper price I would look at the Vincent (also available under the Kavent and Sheng Ya brands. Just replace the Chinese tubes with better ones. Don

Only way to go is Cayin. Warm, deep sound. A great value and very dependable.

Find an older Balanced Audio Technology VK-D5(not the SE) and stuff it with six NOS Siemens CCa's(pre '68) or E188CC/7308's. You WON'T be gambling on chinese crapsmanship, and WILL be able to bathe in the sounds of accurate music reproduction. The SE version's no slouch. I just don't care for the 6H30 tube's presentation, and the inability to tube roll. Do yourself a favor and, at least, find somewhere to audition the SE. That will give you an idea of what the VK-D5 is capable (with good CDs). If I had the bucks right now(and didn't already own one), I'd buy this one today: (http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlplay&1234795757&/BAT-VK-D5-NEW---in-box-+-extra) BTW: If you like the sound of music with added euphonics(the British sound), the Mullards the seller is offering would make you very happy.

Don't laught too quickly when I recommend an old California Audio DAC (with or without the Delta transport). I use mine specifically for jazz/vocals because it is a bit forward in the mid-range and if anything (compared to my other stuff) a bit compressed. The other stuff is the BAT VK5, a Wadia 302 and a Raysonic 128, all of which do much, much, better with big music, IMHO. You can take a digital out from your preferred CDP and if you don't like it re-sell it for little of no loss. Tube selection is, however, important - these are high gain DAC's. FWIW.

If yuo can stretch your budget a bit past 3k then I'd have to recommend a used Audio Aero Capitole MKII se.