Tube DAC or new CD player?


I have a DR6050 marantz CD player/recorder. I enjoy the flexibility of having two decks for random play as well as being able to record CDs. I think it sound bright and edgy at times and would like to see what can I do to get a smoother sound without loosing detail (the strength of the DR6050). I am thinking of a CAL Audio Labs DAC (SIGMA or SIGMAII). The tube output stage is very alluring to me. Please feel free to propose other DAC, tube DAC, CD players etc...... Keep it under $600.
Thanks, Salsero
salsero
Hi

Once you go to separates you will never go back. A stand alone transport is better, But adding a good DAC like the perpetual tech to your unit will also give you 96Khz upsampling.

mike
I have owned a Cal Sigma.
I currently have 2 Micromega Dacs (2 diff systems).
The Micromega's are smoother and have more "body".
The Cal Sigma had a tiny bit more "air" and a slightly larger soundstage but was not the smoothest dac I have owned. I think the tube does very little.
A tube preamp does more.
The Bel Canto I owned is a little better (more detail, a little more refinement) than the Sigma but not as smooth as the Micromega.
If you want smoothness, try a Micromega. If want this level of smoothness with more detail, try Theta Gen Va but you are going way over your budget.
I have seen Micromegas selling for $300 or less.
I use a Kora Hermes DAC with a Theta Pearl transport and love the combo. The Hermes replaced a Bel Canto DAC 1.1 which wasn't quite working in my bright room. It uses two 6922 tubes, and with a little tube rolling you can get the sound just the way you want it. I believe there are a couple up for sale on Audiogon.
all can be very simple:
you can get musical fidelity x- tube interface between the cd-player and preamp which will take care of brightness and edginess for a-bit above $100 for used.