Which Tube CDP?

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  • halo
    halo Posts: 5,616
    edited May 2006
    schwarcw wrote:
    Wow! I've been sitting back watching this thread develop. There have been a lot of good suggestions for sure. I have not heard anyone say anything about the reliability or any customer service issues with these players. That's an important factor. The Chinese units are very interesting, the Jolida and the Ah! are assembled in the USA with components from who knows where. This is not an easy decision without actually hearing them. I'm interested to hear from Rich and his side by side listening experience. The good news is for around $600 there are a lot of good options.

    Carl
    Carl,

    The Sheng Ya and Kavent I have were both purchased used. Like Noel said they're built like tanks. The Kavent is a Sheng Ya or Vincent that is modded here in the USA by KAVD.

    Here is a thread with some of Rich's thoughts on the Sheng Ya: link
    Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
    HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10
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  • halo
    halo Posts: 5,616
    edited May 2006
    organ wrote:
    Please let me know if you know of any super warm and creamy sounding U7. That's what I'd like to roll in my Original next.
    Nothing beats a NOS Mullard - the earlier the better. I got mine from Andy at V.T.S.
    Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
    HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited May 2006
    Awesome. I used to have a pair of Mullards but sold them. They were the creamiest tube I ever had. I believe upscaleaudio still have NOS old logo Mullard. Gonna have to check it out again. Thanks for the vintage tube services link.
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,497
    edited May 2006
    Victor, I'd like to get one of them CDP's of yours back to compare now that I've got better pre amps. I had that Chinese kit job back then.
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • halo
    halo Posts: 5,616
    edited May 2006
    SCompRacer wrote:
    Victor, I'd like to get one of them CDP's of yours back to compare now that I've got better pre amps. I had that Chinese kit job back then.
    No problem. Which one & which tubes? I think you need to hear Norah on the Telefunkens (you are gonna shite yourself).
    Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
    HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10
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  • beardog03
    beardog03 Posts: 5,550
    edited May 2006
    F1nut wrote:
    Listen to your Uncle Jesse. :D


    I have to agree with Jesse..
    Ei`s are in my Jolida, but I like to roll with some tubes I got from Russman also..

    Stage 2 Jolida is a great deck, as is the Ah! w/upsampler..
    My nod goes slightly to the Ah!..
    It`s more defined...has perfect synergy (key word here) with my Cary F1
    The Jolida is stock and has perfect synergy with my Dodd,
    Parasound HCA-3500...with the EI`s in the Dodd and also in the CDP..

    Imo...once you have found synergy with your amp and pre, you have to go on the quest to find the right CDP...

    Start somewhere , anywhere..Ah!, Jolida, China...
    You can always flip it and move on to the next piece..

    Average I/C`s will also make a great CDP sound average...
    Tubes make a difference also...
    Many variables...but that`s what makes it so fun....and you always learn something in the process..
    Cary SLP-98L F1 DC Pre Amp (Jag Blue)
    Parasound HCA-3500
    Cary Audio V12 amp (Jag Red)
    Polk Audio Xm Reciever (Autographed by THE MAN Himself) :cool:
    Magnum Dynalab MD-102 Analog Tuna
    Jolida JD-100 CDP
    Polk Audio LSi9 Speaks (ebony)
    SVS PC-Ultra Sub
    AQ Bedrock Speaker Cables (Bi-Wired)
    MIT Shotgun S1 I/C`s
    AQ Black Thunder Sub Cables
    PS Audio Plus Power Cords
    Magnum Dynalab ST-2 FM Antenna
    Sanus Cherry wood Speak Stands
    Adona AV45CS3 / 3 Tier Rack (Black /Gold)

    :cool:
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,497
    edited May 2006
    Halo wrote:
    No problem. Which one & which tubes? I think you need to hear Norah on the Telefunkens (you are gonna shite yourself).

    The Sheng Ya since it has been here before.

    I just get tingles. Lots of that going on with the Shotgun IC's, and now the Amazings.:cool:
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • W WALDECKER
    W WALDECKER Posts: 900
    edited May 2006
    Halo wrote:
    The Ei elite gold pin is the best $10 tube out there in my opinion. Jessie suggested these to me as well and my jaw dropped open when I swapped out the stock JAN Phillips 6922 for the Ei 6DJ8.

    Ei elite gold pin tubes available here:
      TUBE DEPOT
        TUBES DIRECT
          TRIODE ELECTRONICS

          McAlister Audio doesn't sell these players. Aside from manufacturing and selling tube amps he does do mods and repair work on other electronics (audio gear).
          Thanks for the link. i just ordered a quad of Ei elite 6DJ8 goldpins from Tubes Direct for a mere $8.95 a pop.my BAT VK 3i linestage works great in my system with the factory Sovtecs ,but i want to give these babys a spin to see if they can possibly take it up another notch.thanks....WCW III
          Rogue Audio stereo 100 tube amplifier - Lector Zoe preamplifier with 6H30 pi's
          .Audience AU24SE speaker and ic cables- Chord Qutest DAC - Black Cat Silverstar II 75ohm digital cable-Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature system with large bass cabinets to accommodate 10" Seas magnesium woofers.2xhmpsuownoj.jpg
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        • W WALDECKER
          W WALDECKER Posts: 900
          edited May 2006
          beardog03 wrote:
          I have to agree with Jesse..
          Ei`s are in my Jolida, but I like to roll with some tubes I got from Russman also..

          Stage 2 Jolida is a great deck, as is the Ah! w/upsampler..
          My nod goes slightly to the Ah!..
          It`s more defined...has perfect synergy (key word here) with my Cary F1
          The Jolida is stock and has perfect synergy with my Dodd,
          Parasound HCA-3500...with the EI`s in the Dodd and also in the CDP..

          Imo...once you have found synergy with your amp and pre, you have to go on the quest to find the right CDP...

          Start somewhere , anywhere..Ah!, Jolida, China...
          You can always flip it and move on to the next piece..

          Average I/C`s will also make a great CDP sound average...
          Tubes make a difference also...
          Many variables...but that`s what makes it so fun....and you always learn something in the process..
          Hey Robert.i remember talking to you and Jesse about CDPs while we were standing against the catering van at Polkfest 2005. i am really glad to see you back here posting. thanks....WCW III
          Rogue Audio stereo 100 tube amplifier - Lector Zoe preamplifier with 6H30 pi's
          .Audience AU24SE speaker and ic cables- Chord Qutest DAC - Black Cat Silverstar II 75ohm digital cable-Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature system with large bass cabinets to accommodate 10" Seas magnesium woofers.2xhmpsuownoj.jpg
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        • beardog03
          beardog03 Posts: 5,550
          edited May 2006
          I remember Bro...
          Glad to here that your expanding your Horizons...get your listen on, and keep us posted...

          Beardog
          Cary SLP-98L F1 DC Pre Amp (Jag Blue)
          Parasound HCA-3500
          Cary Audio V12 amp (Jag Red)
          Polk Audio Xm Reciever (Autographed by THE MAN Himself) :cool:
          Magnum Dynalab MD-102 Analog Tuna
          Jolida JD-100 CDP
          Polk Audio LSi9 Speaks (ebony)
          SVS PC-Ultra Sub
          AQ Bedrock Speaker Cables (Bi-Wired)
          MIT Shotgun S1 I/C`s
          AQ Black Thunder Sub Cables
          PS Audio Plus Power Cords
          Magnum Dynalab ST-2 FM Antenna
          Sanus Cherry wood Speak Stands
          Adona AV45CS3 / 3 Tier Rack (Black /Gold)

          :cool:
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        • jfb4548
          jfb4548 Posts: 168
          edited May 2006
          Ok thanks to you guys I ordered a pair of EI Elite 12AX7E with gold pins...My wife is going to KILL me! Hope I get to the box before she does :laugh:
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        • beardog03
          beardog03 Posts: 5,550
          edited May 2006
          I have found the gold pins a little laid back..

          Give them proper time to break in...
          Enjoy !


          I swapped the Ah! out , and put the Jolida in for today`s session...
          Sounds really friggen good...I must say..!!!
          Cary SLP-98L F1 DC Pre Amp (Jag Blue)
          Parasound HCA-3500
          Cary Audio V12 amp (Jag Red)
          Polk Audio Xm Reciever (Autographed by THE MAN Himself) :cool:
          Magnum Dynalab MD-102 Analog Tuna
          Jolida JD-100 CDP
          Polk Audio LSi9 Speaks (ebony)
          SVS PC-Ultra Sub
          AQ Bedrock Speaker Cables (Bi-Wired)
          MIT Shotgun S1 I/C`s
          AQ Black Thunder Sub Cables
          PS Audio Plus Power Cords
          Magnum Dynalab ST-2 FM Antenna
          Sanus Cherry wood Speak Stands
          Adona AV45CS3 / 3 Tier Rack (Black /Gold)

          :cool:
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        • jfb4548
          jfb4548 Posts: 168
          edited May 2006
          beardog03 wrote:
          I have found the gold pins a little laid back..

          Give them proper time to break in...
          Enjoy !


          I swapped the Ah! out , and put the Jolida in for today`s session...
          Sounds really friggen good...I must say..!!!


          What tubes do you like best in the Jolida?
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        • beardog03
          beardog03 Posts: 5,550
          edited May 2006
          I`m running the Ei`s right now, and they sound really good

          Not a lot of hours on them yet...maybe 50 or 60
          Cary SLP-98L F1 DC Pre Amp (Jag Blue)
          Parasound HCA-3500
          Cary Audio V12 amp (Jag Red)
          Polk Audio Xm Reciever (Autographed by THE MAN Himself) :cool:
          Magnum Dynalab MD-102 Analog Tuna
          Jolida JD-100 CDP
          Polk Audio LSi9 Speaks (ebony)
          SVS PC-Ultra Sub
          AQ Bedrock Speaker Cables (Bi-Wired)
          MIT Shotgun S1 I/C`s
          AQ Black Thunder Sub Cables
          PS Audio Plus Power Cords
          Magnum Dynalab ST-2 FM Antenna
          Sanus Cherry wood Speak Stands
          Adona AV45CS3 / 3 Tier Rack (Black /Gold)

          :cool:
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        • jfb4548
          jfb4548 Posts: 168
          edited May 2006
          beardog03 wrote:
          I`m running the Ei`s right now, and they sound really good

          Not a lot of hours on them yet...maybe 50 or 60


          Did you ever have Electro Harmonix's in it? I 'thought' I like the sound with the EH's so I'm curoius to hear the differance with the Ei's
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        • beardog03
          beardog03 Posts: 5,550
          edited May 2006
          No...it came with some crappy stock tubes, the brother Jesse suggested I try some Ei Elites, so I got a matched pair..
          I also put a matched pair in the Dodd pre and ran them together...very nice sound

          I also have a pair of RCA 7025`s that I roll in and out of the Jolida ..on occasion

          The Jolida is sounding good today...thinking of going up a stage on the mods now....

          I`m tellin the wife it`s Jesse`s fault.....:D
          Cary SLP-98L F1 DC Pre Amp (Jag Blue)
          Parasound HCA-3500
          Cary Audio V12 amp (Jag Red)
          Polk Audio Xm Reciever (Autographed by THE MAN Himself) :cool:
          Magnum Dynalab MD-102 Analog Tuna
          Jolida JD-100 CDP
          Polk Audio LSi9 Speaks (ebony)
          SVS PC-Ultra Sub
          AQ Bedrock Speaker Cables (Bi-Wired)
          MIT Shotgun S1 I/C`s
          AQ Black Thunder Sub Cables
          PS Audio Plus Power Cords
          Magnum Dynalab ST-2 FM Antenna
          Sanus Cherry wood Speak Stands
          Adona AV45CS3 / 3 Tier Rack (Black /Gold)

          :cool:
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        • jfb4548
          jfb4548 Posts: 168
          edited May 2006
          beardog03 wrote:
          No...it came with some crappy stock tubes, the brother Jesse suggested I try some Ei Elites, so I got a matched pair..
          I also put a matched pair in the Dodd pre and ran them together...very nice sound

          I also have a pair of RCA 7025`s that I roll in and out of the Jolida ..on occasion

          The Jolida is sounding good today...thinking of going up a stage on the mods now....

          I`m tellin the wife it`s Jesse`s fault.....:D


          I can't say enough good things about my Jolida. I wish I had listened to one in stock form to really know the improvements the level 2 mods make, but it really dosen't seem to have any issues I would want to change. I'm looking forward to the Ei's cause if $30.00 in tubes can make it even better I'll be happy! Then again I was happy with it with the stock power cord till I added the PS cord. I was shocked at the improvement that made.
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        • halo
          halo Posts: 5,616
          edited May 2006
          beardog03 wrote:
          ...thinking of going up a stage on the mods now....

          I`m tellin the wife it`s Jesse`s fault.....:D
          That should be the universal excuse for all CP members. :D:D:D
          Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
          HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10
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        • Midnite Mick
          Midnite Mick Posts: 1,591
          edited May 2006
          Are the gold pinned EI Elites and "regular" pinned (whatever that is) Ei Elites different lines? If so what are the differences between them? Thanks.

          Which one would be more suited for the soft tweeter in the Lsi's?

          Mike
          Modwright SWL 9.0 SE (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC with Oyaide 004 terminations)
          Consonance cd120T
          Consonance Cyber 800 tube monoblocks (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC's with Oyaide 004 terminations)
          Usher CP 6311

          Phillips Pronto TS1000 Universal Remote
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        • organ
          organ Posts: 4,969
          edited May 2006
          I hear they're pretty much the same thing, just like how EH have normal and gold pins. I just found out JJ have gold pins too. Is this the X7 or U7 tubes you're looking at?
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        • F1nut
          F1nut Posts: 50,552
          edited May 2006
          jfb4548 wrote:
          Did you ever have Electro Harmonix's in it? I 'thought' I like the sound with the EH's so I'm curoius to hear the differance with the Ei's

          I thought the EH's sounded weak at both ends, but had a nice mid. The Ei's do both ends and the mids very nicely.
          Are the gold pinned EI Elites and "regular" pinned (whatever that is) Ei Elites different lines? If so what are the differences between them? Thanks.
          I've heard others say the regular Ei's do sound different than the gold pin version, but I haven't rolled the regulars even though I have a pair.

          I`m tellin the wife it`s Jesse`s fault.....

          Trouble maker!:p
          Political Correctness'.........defined

          "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

          President of Club Polk

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        • halo
          halo Posts: 5,616
          edited May 2006
          F1nut wrote:
          The Ei's do both ends and the mids very nicely.
          I agree and just wanted to say thanks for reccomending them :)
          F1nut wrote:
          Trouble maker!:p
          People who live in glass houses....;) :):p
          Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
          HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10
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        • Midnite Mick
          Midnite Mick Posts: 1,591
          edited May 2006
          I think when I order them I am going to order both the regular and the gold pins. I might try a couple others as well. I take it you use the gold pins Jesse?

          Mike
          Modwright SWL 9.0 SE (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC with Oyaide 004 terminations)
          Consonance cd120T
          Consonance Cyber 800 tube monoblocks (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC's with Oyaide 004 terminations)
          Usher CP 6311

          Phillips Pronto TS1000 Universal Remote
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        • jfb4548
          jfb4548 Posts: 168
          edited May 2006
          Halo wrote:
          I agree and just wanted to say thanks for reccomending them :) People who live in glass houses....;) :):p


          Just installed the Ei's and letting um warm up. Here are a few pictures of the my player's guts. This may sound dumb, but can anyone tell what is differant then the stocker?
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        • Early B.
          Early B. Posts: 7,900
          edited May 2006
          In the middle picture those six capacitors (the white things) are not stock, I believe.

          I'd be interested in getting your feedback on the differences between the EH's and the Ei's.
          HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

          "God grooves with tubes."
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        • jfb4548
          jfb4548 Posts: 168
          edited May 2006
          Early B. wrote:
          In the middle picture those six capacitors (the white things) are not stock, I believe.

          I'd be interested in getting your feedback on the differences between the EH's and the Ei's.


          It seems like voices are bigger and more forward. But I only had time to listen to a few track before the kids went to bed and only after about 1 hour of warm up time so it's pretty early to say much. I left it turned on to burn in over night.
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        • F1nut
          F1nut Posts: 50,552
          edited May 2006
          This may sound dumb, but can anyone tell what is differant then the stocker?

          Who did the mods?

          Some of the coupling caps, the 4 smaller white ones, which are Multicap's and the 2 round white ones, which could be Sonicap's on the output board (middle pic) have been upgraded as well as the 2 red ones, which look like Blackgate N/NX caps. The actual output caps (the yellow blocks) are stock. The last pic is the power supply board and it looks like 8 diodes (silver top with a hole in it) have been upgraded and the 3 power supply caps in the middle are not stock (2 silver, one black), but why there are 3 different brands used is strange.

          Do me a favor, tell me what the uF values and the voltage (V) rating are on the yellow blocks. I can read one that says 3.3uF and 250V, what do the others say? Thanks.




          Mike, yes gold pins.
          Political Correctness'.........defined

          "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

          President of Club Polk

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        • dorokusai
          dorokusai Posts: 25,577
          edited May 2006
          The tube is where the magic, or lack thereof, happens...not the pins. Worry about the gold in jewelry, not tubes.
          CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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        • jfb4548
          jfb4548 Posts: 168
          edited May 2006
          F1nut wrote:
          Who did the mods?

          Some of the coupling caps, the 4 smaller white ones, which are Multicap's and the 2 round white ones, which could be Sonicap's on the output board (middle pic) have been upgraded as well as the 2 red ones, which look like Blackgate N/NX caps. The actual output caps (the yellow blocks) are stock. The last pic is the power supply board and it looks like 8 diodes (silver top with a hole in it) have been upgraded and the 3 power supply caps in the middle are not stock (2 silver, one black), but why there are 3 different brands used is strange.

          Do me a favor, tell me what the uF values and the voltage (V) rating are on the yellow blocks. I can read one that says 3.3uF and 250V, what do the others say? Thanks.





          I'll have to pull it back out tonight when I get home from work and I'll let you know. It was modified by Sound Oddyssy in PA. I'm not sure he's in business anymore or at least he dosen't have his web site anymore.

          I added the last picture I took last night. Not sure it's sharp enough to give any more info
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