"Analog" = bloated, rolled off, soft and mushy?

IMHO most of the comments made about the "sound" of any component are dependent on the system into which they are incorporated. If you have a system which leans toward warmth, as opposed to neutrality, then it would be expected that having a CDP which was also warmish in tone could be objectionable. Conversly if you have a system which is on the "fast" and "bright" side of neutral as many are, especially when they are all SS systems, the addition of a SS CDP can produce too much "detail" (call it what you will). It all depends on YOUR expectations and YOUR system.

I think your subsequent questions are valid in that they at least allow for a comparison between pre-modded and post modded units. I also think it would be interesting to hear opinions about what most folks percieve to be the "sound of analog". To me, the term always suggested the opposite of "digital", that is thin, glassy, etched, bright, and unmusical.

I don't have any idea how tube is equated to analog and solid state to digital. Apples and orange kind of comparison. I also find it interesting that some people equate tube and analog sound with a loss of excitement and transparency, and equate digital and solid state sound with thinness, edginess and brightness. I find that most solid state equipment and good digital sources to no longer sound that way, but I do find that their weakness is a loss of low level transparency, dynamics and liveliness.

I don't think that hanging a cheaply made tube gain stage on to the converted output of a dac would do anything to improve the sound. I haven't been impressed by most of the players with tubes. But, there are notable exceptions. The best digital sound I've ever heard came from a set-up using an Audionote DAC-5 that is stuffed with tubes. Simply amazing.

Yes, you are wrong. Just kidding.

It's all a matter of tastes. I prefer vinyl myself, but I also have a BAT VK-D5SE, which is not the most dynamic cd player. However, I find that I'm able to listen for hours without grinding my teeth, which is a good thing. I do have a couple other cd players (cheaper) hooked up to the system as well. If I'm in a rocking mood, and want more dynamics or edge, I use one of these.
If I had the money, I'd set up two seperate systems. One for smooth, rich sound (vinyl/SET/horns) and one for dynamic punch (digital/SS/dynamic drivers).

Why don't you split your budget in half and get two cd players. A smooth one (AudioMeca Obsession II?)and a dynamic one (Wadia 830/850?). Just a thought. The Wadia gear is too edgy for my tastes. I do like things smooth though so YMMV.

John

before this turns into a tubes vs. SS thread... can anyone speak to the sonic signatures of the modwright, apl, and exemplar modded universal players? and what does it mean, when someone says, it's the most "analog" sounding player?

" and what does it mean, when someone says, it's the most "analog" sounding player? "

They mean that they really would rather listen to vinyl but in it's absence this will have to do

Dave