Tubed cdp that can be hooked up to amp directly.

I would recommend against doing that. Yes, with CDPs with volume control, you can plug it straight into a power amp and be able to control the volume, but it just sounds flat. From a purist point of view, you would think that the signal path is more direct by bypassing the preamp stage so sound quality should be better, right? Wrong! The preamp does much more than just switching between sources and controlling the volume.

I am going to have to disagree with lohkkw@tm.net.my with players that use a digital volume control it would be better, how ever those players that use analog volume control(even SS, not just tubed units) it has ALWAYS been better. I have tried it in a few different systems with a few different cd players and it is impossible to regain the transparency when running through a preamp- you may gain a little body and weight(even that is debatable) but everything else is just more "color" which some people like.

I've beeen using the Shanling CDP directly hooked-up into a SS power amp for about a year, now. There's no way I would get back to a preamp!

Tireguy is correct, I even prefer the Wadia players which use digital volume control without a preamp. I have tried it both ways and it has always been preferable straight to the amp. Also there is a lot more bang for the buck when you sink all your money into the best CD player that runs direct that you can afford as opposed to sharing between preamp and CD player. If money is no object it may be a different story

My thoughts on pre-amp are the same is Tireguy (my knowledge in this area is very limited though.) I have the Adcom GFP 750 which I only run in passive, didn't like the sound of active. Passive was much more open and transparent, overall, a great preamp I thought. However, if a passive preamp does its job well, nothing should alter the source signal. If this is indeed the case, then I can't see any reason why a passive preamp should be better in place of none. A tube or well designed preamp will color the sound that best suit your taste. I guess is if I want phono sound, that's the way to go. I'm planning to get a tube cdp, but if my budget allows I'll eventually get a tube preamp as well.
In the mean time, a good tube pcd is all I can get. I have heard that cdp with variable output should not deminish in sound quality but digital will suffer. Anyone with thoughts on why?