Tube DACs

If you don't mind saving a lot of money, check out Scott-nixon.com where the "TubeDac," and matching power supply are on sale new for a price so low it might be hard to take the DAC seriously. After pioneering the tube output consumer DAC, this is the master's less is more purist approach which ended up being a bargain. The only way to make it cost more is to choose some rare, single NOS tube. My older Anodyne ATAS uses four tubes, where the cost of NOS tubes alone can equal the price of the entire, new era TubeDac. With all the money saved, you can run wild buying CD's.

I use my Audio Aero CD player's DAC for my DVDs (two channel), Satellite and it does a great job playing CDs as well. Since it has a volumn control I find that it serves as a preamp as well.

Not to take this thread off track, but in response to Newbee's comments, I would suggest a CEC transport in front of that Alpha. I will say that took care of the "forwardness" you're describing. I'm running that combo now with an Orchid cable and the results are fantastic. In regards to tube dacs for Bigkidz, I would look into trying something like an Audio Aero Prima DAC or a Manley or VTL tube DAC. Like to find a loaner for myself, actually !

Bigkidz, the tube magic you are looking for, you
might consider your sony for tube mod, I know
I mentioned this before,Modwright did my Sony
9000es,My friend just listened to my system, and
was very impress on what the sony mod did on my system.
Mine has volume control.Cost $1700

Peter: jeffcott here (Holleys and Cragars). I am currently using a CEC TL2 and Audio Logic M34 combination. This combination has shown me the deficiencies in my system which I am currently in the process of correcting. IMO, this combination raises good Redbook recordings to the level of good HDCD. In truth, I must say that by itself a good DAC has not made as much of a difference as a good DAC used in COMBINATION with a good transport. For me, purchasing the CEC has been an eye opener: not black and white, but much clearer shades of grey. In terms of singing the prowess of Audio Logic, I would hope that Rcprince would chime in on this thread. He has experienced Jerry Ozment's handiwork two generations ahead of me, and can speak with polished experience of the differences between the AL products. Wish you lived close by, I would gladly bring them to you to experience with your system. All of the above has been with VERY modest tubes in the DAC. I am just now getting ready to improve things in that area.