Yaqin CD3 anybody have one?

pitdogg2

While i have been liking my Yaqin CD2 I'm looking at the CD3. Anybody have any thought on this unit. Are the 6sn7 tube a better tube than the 6ak5? I know they are more pricey but is there a better sound to them or would this be a move sideways?

tonyb

To me, in other gear the 6sn7's have a better sound, but I don't have any experience with that tube buffer per say.

pitdogg2

Thanks Tony, I was hoping more of our tube guru's would chime in....PM'd a couple one has been very helpful ...the other never seems to return my PM's.
Seems like I could get the CD3 and some Sofie tubes and call it a day:biggrin:

erniejade

Why not just get a tubebac11? 6N11 vacuum tube (can be replaced with 6922, E88CC, 6DJ8, 6H23n and CCa tubes)

zingo

I've owned a 6SN7 tube buffer, and found the application of it very limited. Actually using tubes as a input or output stage is much better than a buffer unless you are trying to impedance match.

FYI, 6SN7 are great sounding tubes.

pitdogg2

erniejade wrote: »

Why not just get a tubebac11? 6N11 vacuum tube (can be replaced with 6922, E88CC, 6DJ8, 6H23n and CCa tubes)

what you say here? I'm all ears.

erniejade

Last year when I talked to some of the people at Grant and was thinking of a cd2 or 3 or one of the tube buffers, they told me the tubedac11 is better sounding then both, even with the stock tube. Then we got on a convo on tube rolling and he directed me to http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=398070

So besides being a tube buffer, its also a dac, and can even be used as a preamp. Tube rolling it has a lot of options with e88cc or 6922. Lots of good reviews on this unit. Not sure if you can find it used but, its on back order for oct. and the price if its pre-ordered is still $350. The price is going to go up 25$ but, no biggie.

pitdogg2

Thanks EJ but since I have a very good (I think) Carver C16 pre this would not work unless I removed the C16 which would leave something not able to hook up Since I use 3 inputs as it is. That is also one reason I have not went with the Dodd pre as much as I'd like to. I may have to come up your way and give the CD3 a listen along with my CD2 to compare.
Thanks

erniejade

it works 3 ways as a pre or as a buffer so you can put this between your pre and amp, or cd and pre, or try it as a pre. So you can use it like a cd2, or 3, or as a dac, or as a dac and as a buffer. It has a lot of combos.
http://grantfidelity.com/images/TubeDAC11/TubeDAC-11HomeChart.jpg


I heard one but do not own one. I went with a audio research sp16 tube preamp and a W4S dac. I had a carver C-19 tube pre, then went to a Mcintosh c39 pre, then the AR sp16 and tried a few different tubes till hearing some tung sol late 50's tubes and so far I just left it there.