what to do? sell the CAL tube DAC or not?

danger boy
danger boy Posts: 15,722
edited June 2008 in Electronics
I have this California Audio Labs Alpha Tube DAC. Lovely overbuilt DAC that's held up well, but it's become a bit dated. Still sounds wonderful and the tube rolling is sweet. But I know I could do better. I'd really rather go with a CD player instead of looking for just another DAC.

I'm at this crossroads where I don't know if I should keep it or sell it an use the money to purchase a more modern CDP. If I sell it, it would free up about $500 to go towards a CD player.

what CD players does that open up?
PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
Post edited by danger boy on
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  • amulford
    amulford Posts: 5,020
    edited June 2008
    If you decided to sell it, I have dibs. It will go with my CAL CDP, which ain't no slouch in it's own right...
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited June 2008
    I remember talking to you about the CAL years ago. Too bad you gotta let it go. But at least Amulford already have dibs.

    What's your budget for the new CDP? I really love my Rega Apollo. Somehow, things don't seem so 'digital' anymore. Very rich and robust sound.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,546
    edited June 2008
    danger boy wrote: »
    ...Lovely overbuilt DAC that's held up well, but it's become a bit dated. Still sounds wonderful and the tube rolling is sweet.

    Sell it, why live in the stone age?
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • amulford
    amulford Posts: 5,020
    edited June 2008
    Hey...I'm trying to scarf here...
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,546
    edited June 2008
    Oh ****, sorry brotha. My reply edited. :D
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • amulford
    amulford Posts: 5,020
    edited June 2008
    Coolness. I agree with you but if he's gonna do it...
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited June 2008
    I haven't decided to sell it yet.. or ever. but yeah Antony you got first dibs if it comes to that. ;)

    When i was last over at Bottomfeeders house listening to music on his newer NAD cdp.. it's pretty evident that CDP's have improved over the years. better built in DAC's.

    I come home and listen to the CAL Alpha and I can notice a difference in detail. So that's what's prompted me to think about getting a decent CDP and bypass the CAL DAC. I have rolled in several different 12AX7 tubes.. Mullards, EV's, Groove Tubes, etc.

    My budget is <$500 what does that open up in terms of new or used CDP's?
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • amulford
    amulford Posts: 5,020
    edited June 2008
    How about a tubed output CD? I really like my Luxman D105u (older) and newer Shanling CDT100. While the newer one is more revealing, the other one does a fine job.
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  • Ern Dog
    Ern Dog Posts: 2,237
    edited June 2008
    I've seen the Bada tube CDP sell for $400-$500 used. Highly regarded cdp as well as the Rega appollo that Organ mentioned. The Rega may be out of your price range though. Also consider a nice Sony SACD player. The ES versions are top quality and reasonably priced if you go used. NAD is another company that makes great products for the money. There is a NAD T585 on the 'Gon right now for $495, new its $1200 and it plays SACD & DVD A!
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  • fbm211
    fbm211 Posts: 1,488
    edited June 2008
    Theres a rega apollo on ebay for 470.50. Its only got 20 hr to go as of 11:15pm est.
    SDA-2BTL with custom IC
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited June 2008
    Sell.
    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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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited June 2008
    fbm211 wrote: »
    Theres a rega apollo on ebay for 470.50. Its only got 20 hr to go as of 11:15pm est.

    that is a nice player.. but it went over my budget with several hours to go. it'll blow the price way over mine.. but thanks for the suggestion. I have never seen or heard that player.

    I may seek out something more budget oriented... this isn't going to be used as any kind of reference player. Just something to upgrade over my NAD 5340 but i also don't want to go to BB or CC and get a $99 jobber either. ;)
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited June 2008
    Another +1 for the Bada here. I've heard that player at the dealer several times on different set ups and it always sounded fantastic. It has up sampling as well.
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited June 2008
    organ wrote: »
    Another +1 for the Bada here. I've heard that player at the dealer several times on different set ups and it always sounded fantastic. It has up sampling as well.

    those are nice.. but $135 shipping from China? does that seem right?
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited June 2008
    That's correct. The higher price is for express shipping.
    I think I paid about $100 in shipping for my Original CD-A8T. It arrived within a week. Don't know about your Bada seller, but the one I chose offered regular shipping by boat but I didn't want to wait. I believe they have the Bada as well. www.hotproductstore.com will take you directly to their ebay store.

    Even though the shipping is a lot, you make up for it with the money you save on the unit. My Original was only $500 BIN. Found a Canadian distributor selling them for $1500 a pop! So that was $900 in savings.

    Keep in mind that when your purchasing from China, ask if they have a 110V version of the unit. If they only have the 220V, they offer a free 110>220V adaptor.

    Take your time with cd players. Don't rush anything because the source is very important. Keep us posted.
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited June 2008
    oops... forgot to ask..... Have you looked at used DAC's?
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