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4.46.113.153
Hi,
My system consitsts of the folowing and I listen to a lot of Rock and some Jazz, and misc. I really enjoy good PRAT, a full midrange, and midband with lots of energy, and good immediacy. I would like a tube Cd player but not one lacking too much detail. I have heard the Regas a few time and they always sound nice, but seem to lack detail.Speakers: VMPS 626R
Amp: ASL 1003 DT
CD: Pioneer 727 (Stan Warren Mod)
IC: Stan Warren
Sp. Cables Maple shade golden helixMy system still seems to be lacking good PRAT and the culprit is the pioneer. The mod I had done improves quite a few things but PRAT was not one of them. My budget is around $700 - $800 and I will go used. From experience I have enjoyed tube CD players better, but I am definately willing to audition or try solid state. Some ideas have been the Jolida 1000, and the heart 6000, as well as some offerings from Naim, and Arcam. My favorite player I have heard is the nOrh CD-1, but it is not available anymore. It wasted a heavily modded tjoeb 99 CD player. From the reviews and descriptions it sounds like the heart would be up my alley, but i would like some more info or opinions.
Thanks!
Follow Ups:
I would humbly suggest you spend your money for a 1/2 decent DAC. The Muse model 2 Plus is a smoking good deal used for about $450-600. I was not a big believer in CD's until I bought a used Muse Model 2 Plus DAC and my Muse Model 9 CD/DCD transport. The difference in sound improvement was not small compared to my Teac HW-500 CD player/recorder. I can now listen to CD's without being so critical. I think my Well Tempered Classic table still sounds a bit better to my ears but the difference is not so large any longer. Now that the Muse Model 2 DAC is no longer upgradable by Muse I am looking into the Guido Tent XO clock upgrades for my DAC. Have fun and rememeber all audio is very subjective. Always go with what sounds good to your own ears in your own home stereo, period. This is a crazy hobby. I have gone from a 100 wpc CJ tube amplifier to a 7 wpc set of 300b DRD amps. My 1.8 wpc 45 DRD mono amps should be hooked up before Halloween to power my 2" compression drivers with my Marchand XM-126 active tube speaker crossover. I think my stereo is finally coming together. I am happy with my vinyl, and FM tuner. I will be happier once I upgrade my DAC which us next on my to do list. Good luck with a new transport, or a DAC. You may want to look into the Guido Tent upgrades for your CD player as an alternative..
I've the Carver SD/A 390t. In fact I was so impressed by the first I bought a second (it only cost my $180.00. These players have 2 6DJ8s in the output stage. I've upgraded both my players with NOS Amperex Bugle Boy tubes. These players also have a sophisticated soft eq circuit that generates a very anologue-like signal. Sounds sort of bogus, but it actually works very well. Other Carver CD players were mediocre at best but this one is very good. I have 3 other players but the Carver is a much better CD player. Much more detail on all levels. Has lots of hootspa, without being overly bright and fatiguing. I love this player. Don't know if its as good as other tube CD players as I've not heard another, but I'm definitely sold on tubes in the output stage for CD players.If you can find one on the used market its work it.
Changing the cd player would be that last on my list. "Prat" is more of a speaker amp combo/interaction. Perhaps an efficient speaker that is not heavily damped along with a tube amp that uses KT88s.
Hi, i own the AH! NT4000 & think it has good prat! The AH! NT4000 is very upgradable, i have the two sets of op amps & have the Bur Brown in now which greatly improved imaging. I have yet to try the other set which is said to produce a lush midrange. Also, i like the fact that it uses tubes in the 6DJ8 family, as oposed to 12AX7 which i believe is used in the Jolida. I own the Jolida JD1501 which uses 12AX7's & a Decware SE84C which uses 6DJ8/6922 type & IMHO 6DJ8 are superior. Also i used to think that the Jolida amp was slow..until i suspened the speaker cables off the floor, much improving the transient responce. Please try this first, as you may be surprised! In any case i think a tubed CDP is a good idea as it takes (IMO) off the digital glare, & improves imaging.
I found them both mediocre, especially for the money they cost. I don't mean to imply they were bad, but sure as hell not up to the hype, and nothing special in general. I bought a new Jolida 100 for $749 and use NOS Tungsram 12AX7's (from Upscale Audio) in it. For tonality, punch, bass response, "PRAT", or anything else, the Jolida will be very hard to beat at the price. I prefer it to many cdp's I've heard costing 3-5 times the price. I've heard 2 other cdp's that I liked also --- Audionote 2.1x (tube)and the Cairn Fog (ss). But new, those are well beyond your price point, and I didn't like either better than the Jolida anyway.
also take a look at shengya s10-nice unit
nysound.com
Try the Tjoeb 4000/upsampled with NOS seimens or amperex tubes you wont be dissapointed
thanks
frank
Even if it's not upsampled, is excellent with upgraded op amps & tubes and some dampening. Have been listening to one for a couple years now and very happy with the purchase.
Even if it's not upsampled, is excellent with upgraded op amps & tubes and some dampening. Have been listening to one for a couple years now and very happy with the purchase.
Question 1: have you had more PRAT at any time during the assembly of your system? In other words, was it ever there, where did it go?Question 2: while it could be your cdp, have you considered the amp? Is it a rocker in other systems?
Item 3: You may need a fast solid-state cdp to give you the pop that you crave. While Naim gear certainly has that rep, I feel that it comes at the expense of some other features. How about a used Musical Fidelity cdp. That would be nice.
1. No I have never had the PRAT I want in my system.2. I have heard the ASL in another system with varied equipment and it has always had good pace and rhythm, especially for a tube amp.
3. I could check out musical fidelity, what about the heart 6000, I have heard a lot of good things about it? Heard Tjoeb 99 with mods and was not that impressed, the nOrh CD-1 was much better if the 4000 sounds like the old one I think I should look elsewhere. What sound qualities does the name sacrafice or weak in? If you want an idea of the sound I like, I very much enjoyed the ART DIO (Boulder modded), it has a lot of zing.( I would try it, but I dont think my transport has a good enough clock, and then I am stuck searching for a transport and a DAC.) I also like the warmth of tubes, but I know a lot of times you have to sacrafice a bit of detail, which is OK as long as it doesnt sound something like a piece of Cary equipment (yukkk!)
You might want to try the Opera Consonance 2.2. It's a little bit more expensive than your range (can be had for around $1300 new), but it is a very nice tube CD player
Give this one a play if at all possible. I've used one for two years and I love it. I've upgraded the tubes with nos and suggest you do the same. Fyi, Valvos, Siemens and Tungsrams are the brands that give the best sound. E188CC's give the clearest, fullest detail.
You may want to consider the Eastern Electric MiniMax CDP. Sorry, I have not heard it but I have used the MiniMax pre and it was excellent. And the build quality was outstanding. You should give Bill O'Connell at Morningstar Audio a call. He is extremely helpful and knowledgeable. 6moons have done reviews on the EE equipment you can check out. Hope this helps. Take care.
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