The Search for Tube CDP is Over!

schwarcw

About six weeks ago I asked for input and advice from Polk Forum members on a tube CDP. I got many responses on makes, models, and experiences with a number of players. Thanks to all!

When Halo (Victor) posted a FS ad in the Flea Market for his Sheng Ya CD-S10 I pulled the trigger on his player and a pair of Telefunken tubes (12AU7 & 6DJ8). This is my first venture into tubes so I needed some guidance and recommendations for upgrading from the stock Chinese tubes. I told Victor I was looking for tubes that would give me a smooth high end with no loss of detail, and still have some nice lush mid range and some low end thump. I like listening to jazz, female vocals and some soft rock. Victor recommended the Telefunken's over the Mullards and a couple of others he had that might be better suited to my taste.

I was very impressed when I unpacked the box and examined the build quality. The machined aluminum faceplate is nearly 7/16" thick. The unit is very heavy, about 20 lbs. Inside of the unit there is a large toroidal transformer, Burr Brown PCM 1732 DAC, Philip's transport, Burr Brown 2104 op amps in the digital board and a boatload of other resistors, capacitors and other components. A lot more parts than I'm used to seeing in a CDP. (See pic's) The transport is quiet, fast and smooth opening. All of the buttons are metal and have very smooth but solid action.

I hooked up the Sheng Ya with a pair of MIT Terminator 2 IC's and a PS Audio Prelude power cord. I use my Marantz HT receiver as a preamp and a Parasound Halo A21 (250 wpc) to drive my SDA SRS 2.3's.

I am very pleased with the sound!:D The Sheng Ya with the Telefunken's has a smooth and very neutral sound, which is what I was looking for. I played some Norah Jones and Diana Krall to have a listen to the female vocals with the piano. The sound stage was large and airy. Smooth detail on the piano and the voices were mello and still very crisp. I put on some Allison Kraus "Live with the Union Station". Her voice was mesmerizing. The strings on the guitars and Dobro's were very detailed in a deep sound stage. The electric upright bass had a clean. deep punch with no muddy boom.

I've been playing a variety of music over the last several days and I am very impressed with the quality of the sound from a very modestly priced tube CDP. I'm sure you can buy a better CDP, but you'll probably spend a lot of coin to get a step change in sound and quality.

Many thanks to Victor for the CDP and his recommendations for on tubes. I will be rolling in some new ones in the future to experiment with the sound. But, right now I'm enjoying the music!

F1nut

I am very pleased with the sound!

Congrats, that's all that matters!

janmike

Congrats on the CDP. A tube CDP will occupy my shelf one day soon. Enjoy.

tonyb

Hmmm....the search for good music is on!
Nice score there,enjoy!:)

george daniel

congrats,

BlueMDPicker

Cool--glad you're enjoying the new acquisition!

When you get ready to roll some other tubes, I highly recommend an Amperex USN-CEP 7308 gold pin for a swap with the 6DJ8.

RuSsMaN

I assume the 6DJ8 is the tube on the output, is the 12au7 even doing anything in the window, or is it just for 'show and glow'?

Congrats on the new gear!

BlueMDPicker

I took a look at their website for specs on the CDP. Didn't find any, but the feedback form instructions gave me a good chuckle to start the day:

"honorific clients: please send you suggest through the following form, we will response you ontime, think!"

schwarcw

RuSsMaN wrote:

I assume the 6DJ8 is the tube on the output, is the 12au7 even doing anything in the window, or is it just for 'show and glow'?

According to Halo and SCompracer the 6DJ8 is for voltage regulation in the power supply. It has a very low "glow". I think there is better spec information out on the web for the Vincent, which is a clone for the European market, manufactured by Sheng Ya. The Kavent is also a clone. I think the Maverick Music Hall 25 is also a clone.

schwarcw

BlueMDPicker wrote:

I took a look at their website for specs on the CDP. Didn't find any,

Here's a link to some specs:

http://gzzry.en.ec21.com/GC00457889/CA00458299/Shengya_CD-S10_Compact_Disc_Player_.html

BlueMDPicker

schwarcw wrote:

According to Halo and SCompracer the 6DJ8 is for voltage regulation in the power supply.

I don't believe the amperex 7308 will show you much in that capacity. But, there are plenty of great 12AU7 types out there to roll. Enjoy! It has many of the same features as my EE MiniMax--which knocked my Shanling CD-T100 out of the top spot in the digital source lineup once I got the 7308s in place. The EE uses SS voltage regulation and a separate small signal tube per channel of output.

schwarcw

Thanks for the advice Mike! I'll give them a "roll"

ND13

That's weird, It sure looks like the 6DJ8 is the output tube in mine and the 12AU7 is the power supply tube.

schwarcw

ND13 wrote:

That's weird, It sure looks like the 6DJ8 is the output tube in mine and the 12AU7 is the power supply tube.

You are correct! Thanks for pointing this out Noel. I was thinking about it after I read Mike's post, but I was out working the yard.:(

schwarcw

Noel,

How do you like the Amperex gold pin?

Carl

organ

schwarcw wrote:

I told Victor I was looking for tubes that would give me a smooth high end with no loss of detail, and still have some nice lush mid range and some low end thump. I like listening to jazz, female vocals and some soft rock. Victor recommended the Telefunken's over the Mullards and a couple of others he had that might be better suited to my taste.

First of all, congrats on your new player. Looks like a kick **** cdp.
I can highly recommend the JJ 12AU7 for the type of sound you described above. You can also use the JJ 6922 for your voltage regulation which has the exact same sound signature as their 12AU7. Under $10 a pop for both types. More fun to start rolling new production then later, get into the exotic stuff.

Mullard tubes also have the sound you're after. Look for the earlier production (1950's).

I'm using JJ U7's in my CDP and pre amp right now. I have a pair of Tung Sol 12AU7 coming to replace the ones in the cdp.

Tele's are more neutral but can get analytical.

Don't forget to check new tubes for microphonic. After installing them and letting them run for a few minutes, turn up the pre and tap the tubes *lightly* on the top and sides with your finger nail. If you hear the tapping through your speakers, exchange the tube. I've had quite a few new U7's that were microphonic right out of the box.

SCompRacer

I'm glad your happy with it.

Edited cause I may have stated the tube positions reversed, or Carl's (formerly Victor's) Sheng Ya was wired differently. All I remember for sure is they take two different tubes and they need to be in the correct places.

ND13

Rich,
I just popped the top again on the Sheng Ya, and unless they are building them differently, since mine was built(which I can't tell seeing that my Chinese is not up to snuff), the lettering by the front socket(window) calls for a 12AX7 and the socket near the analog output jacks calls for a 6922.

All I know is, that I was misinformed by the seller of mine, that the cdp used two 6922s, so I put in my favorite Bugle Boys and then rolled in some pristine Amperex PQ 6DJ8s before I was told of the error. Needless to say, I ruined two very expensive tubes in that **** window, before going with an Ei Elite 12AX7, there and an Amperex Gold Pin 7308 by the output jacks. No problems since and it sounds better than ever.

SCompRacer

I know when Victor first got the Sheng Ya, the rear tube was burning brightly and I am fairly sure they were both 6922's. I can't remember seeing any tube numbers at either location. IIRC, the rear tube had twice the filament voltage of the front tube. Filament voltage specs for a 6922 is 6.3v while the 12AX7 is 6.3v to 12v. I'll have to check my archives when I get home.

EDIT:
It would be odd if they were wired differently. I'd like to hear from Victor how his Kavent (a near clone of the Sheng Ya) is set up.

I also edited my previous post. Thanks Noel.

halo

schwarcw - Glad you like it! I knew you would Try the Ei elite gold pins (6DJ8 & 12AU7) before you go the Amperex route. In this CDP Mullards are not what you want to roll (based on my experience) for the sound you're after.

Noel - all the CDP's seem to be different in regards to which tube goes where. Carl's SY has the 12AU7 (for the power supply) in the back and the 6DJ8 (output tube) in the window. My Kavent is the opposite.

Rich - The board on all the players is the same. It has 6922 written clearly next to the rear tube socket but (obviously) that doesn't mean that's what goes in there. (see photo)

There are only 3 clones of this CDP out there: Vincent (parent co.) sold in Europe and now available here at Audio Advisor (newer version of the player), Sheng Ya (sold in China and found here from time to time) and the Kavent (sold in the USA until recently - some problems with the parent co. from what I understand).

Enjoy it Carl! I'm happy that it stayed in the family

SCompRacer

Thanks for clearing that up Victor. Thats how I remembered it, but I didn't have faith in my memory.

schwarcw

Halo wrote:

schwarcw - Glad you like it! I knew you would Try the Ei elite gold pins (6DJ8 & 12AU7) before you go the Amperex route. In this CDP Mullards are not what you want to roll (based on my experience) for the sound you're after.

Enjoy it Carl! I'm happy that it stayed in the family

Victor,

Thanks for the player and your guidance and recommendations. Your First Class in my book!

Midnite Mick

Congrats. With all the praise I am very interested in hearing one of these.

Mike