Thoughts on DACs, CDPs and Tubes . . .

SolidSqual
SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
edited January 2009 in 2 Channel Audio
So, I've been trying to determine the final source for my system and have determined that I definitely need tubes. I listened to a CA DacMagic, Benchmark DAC-1, a Modded PSA DLIII Lvl. 4 Mod. and a Bryston BCD-1. All of them but the PSA seemed to have more detail but none of them had the warmth and musicality of the Raysonic CD-128. Thus, I need tubes.

So here's my dilemma:

Know any good tube dacs other than those made by Wavelength? I still haven't given up on the computer audio route.

I think I've come to a point where I'm not looking for more detail but more tube goodness. Non-tubed digital sources just seem stale.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,561
    edited January 2009
    The Raysonic CD-128 didn't do it for you?
    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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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited January 2009
    I know you seem to like some of the pricier stuff. But have you thought about demoing a Jolida CDP?


    I loved mine. It had a stong tube like sound...





    Nick
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited January 2009
    http://www.angelfire.com/biz/bizzyb/index.html Paul builds some fantastic gear. I had his DAC & it was superb. Maybe right up your alley.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited January 2009
    F1nut wrote: »
    The Raysonic CD-128 didn't do it for you?

    Well it did actually, but I'm still trying to find that same sound in a DAC where I can connect a CDP and a music server to get the same kind of sound. Not sure if that's possible, but I've gone back and forth many times on the idea. My main reason for pursuing the music server avenue is total access to my music library right from my couch.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,561
    edited January 2009
    I know that some CDP's have a digital in/out, so that the internal DAC can be used for a purpose like yours, but off the top of my head, I'm not sure any of them are tubed.
    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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  • lakesailor
    lakesailor Posts: 319
    edited January 2009
    Have you tried a tube buffer ? Might be a relatively inexpensive solution.
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited January 2009
    lakesailor wrote: »
    Have you tried a tube buffer ? Might be a relatively inexpensive solution.

    I did once with a MF Tube Buffer, but it seemed more like a band-aid
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  • lakesailor
    lakesailor Posts: 319
    edited January 2009
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    I did once with a MF Tube Buffer, but it seemed more like a band-aid

    I haven't tried one myself; however I have heard some good things. Mark Marc; who chimes in here often did a good review on one in the Affordable Audio online digest he puts out monthly. Might be worth a read.
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  • markmarc
    markmarc Posts: 2,309
    edited January 2009
    From what I've gathered Solid is beyond the tube buffer stage. I've got to believe there are more options available (not to attack Raysonic, but for the idea of choice). With CES just ending, gut tells me there are more tube DACs coming out in the next few months.
    Review Site_ (((AudioPursuit)))
    Founder/Publisher Affordable$$Audio 2006-13.
    Former Staff Member TONEAudio
    2 Ch. System
    Amplifiers: Parasound Halo P6 pre, Vista Audio i34, Peachtree amp500, Adcom GFP-565 GFA-535ii, 545ii, 555ii
    Digital: SimAudio HAD230 DAC, iMac 20in/Amarra,
    Speakers: Paradigm Performa F75, Magnepan .7, Totem Model 1's, ACI Emerald XL, Celestion Si Stands. Totem Dreamcatcher sub
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited January 2009
    One option is to buy the Raysonic and some time down the road buy a great DAC. I could use the Raysonic as a transport, but then this option would only be good if the tubes buffered the digital outs as well.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited January 2009
    Monarchy NM24.

    Tube Dac or SS Dac and line stage tube pre.

    http://www.monarchyaudio.com/
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • adam2434
    adam2434 Posts: 995
    edited January 2009
    The MHDT Havana seems interesting. It's a non-oversampling DAC with a true tube output stage sans opamps (not just a tube buffer as many DACs have).
    5.1 and 2.0 ch Basement Media Room: Outlaw 975/Emotiva DC-1/Rotel RB-1582 MKII/Rotel RB-1552/Audiosource Amp 3/Polk LS90, CS400i, FX500i/Outlaw X-12, LFM-1/JVD DLA-HD250/Da-Lite 100" HCCV/Sony ES BDP/Sonos Connect. DC-1/RB-1582 MKII/Sonos Connect also feed Polk 7C in garage or Dayton IO655 on patio.
    2.1 ch Basement Gym: Denon AVR-2807/Klipsch Forte I or NHT SB2/JBL SUB 550P x 2/Chromecast Audio.
    2.0 ch Living Room: Rotel RX-1052/Emotiva DC-1/Klipsch RF-7 III/Sony ES BDP/LG 65" LED.
    2.0 ch Semi-portable: Klipsch Powergate/NHT SB3/Chromecast Audio.
    Kitchen: Sonos Play5.
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