Tube CD players

[Reel2reelman]

I am interested in getting a CD player with tubes. Does anyone has recommendation? I would like it to have both RCA and XLR outputs.
Only one I can find is Vincent Audio CDS 1.2. That one is made in China. Don't like the Chinese ones much but does anyone have good reviews on it?

[tom_hankins]

I used to have an Audio Aero Capitole MK2 cdp, and the Audio Aero DAC. Not as resolved as a lot out there today, but still the most enjoyable digital I owned. I also had the Shanling in a headphone system. Could never get into it.

[Rob]

the Audio Aero capitole was a great piece and one I could listen to for hours. it was also an upsampler from what I recall.

[tom_hankins]

The MK2 model did 24/192. I miss mine.

[Viva Hifi Scott]

The ModWright tube-modded Oppo 105 is as good as they get for under $5K.

[Doxycc]

T+a d10.

[Analog21]

If you can get a used EAR Yoshino Acute 3, it is simply stellar. Very good for tube rolling as well to fine tune the sound you like. Both the CD and DAC in the unit sound fantastic. They are onto a new model, but the EAR Acute 3 will still hold up with all the other digital components out there. There is a lot of info and reviews out there, so check it out.

[tom_hankins]

My friend in ATL. has an EAR/ Marten system and uses the DAC section. Sound is killer!

[Reel2reelman]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions. Any thing being made brand new?
How about this Vincent Audio CDS 1.2?

[Dr.Ears]

The problem with tube CD players are the tubes, which, if, you use current production tubes, they become your weakest component. The price of legitimate NOS tubes have become very expensive. I gave up on a tube CD player after rolling in over 100 pairs of tubes. I went with a player, which uses pure silver transformers in the output stage, which beat my tube CD player even with the best NOS tubes that I could find.

[tom_hankins]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions. Any thing being made brand new?
How about this Vincent Audio CDS 1.2?

Never heard that one. I think for close to that amount of money I would grab a used OPPO 95, and have Dan Wright mod it for 1750.00. I don't know this seller, but here is one on Agon. If you need new, I agree with Viva Hifi Scott, Have either an OPPO 95 or 105 shipped direct to Modwright and have him do his thing to it.

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/cd-sacd-players-oppo-digital-bdp-95-blu-ray-disc-player-2017-03-13-digital-93160-0007-santa-barbara-ca

[Hawk]

Exemplar Modded 105 is sweet. John Tucker does a great job with Exemplar products.. Sound is very dynamic and analog like. It plays way above its price point. Only downside is that you need two power cords. I am running Shunyata Sigma Digital on 105 and Alpha HC on power supply. Alpha HC on power supply is probably overkill. Sound was still very good with Shunyata Alpha Digital and regular Alpha Analog.

[Dr.Ears]

I would strongly consider going with a DAC and a music server. I would start out with a DAC, you probably have a computer, which you could use as a server until you could afford a dedicated music server. For some reason DAC's keep getting updated, but I have not seen the same kind of updates available on the DAC end of CD players.

[JCOConnell]

why not go with a cd player with a digital out or a cd transport and match it up to a tubed DAC?

[jcmusic]

I have had the Ah! Njoe Tjoeb 4000 pronounced (New Tube) for years now, it started life as a Marantz CD Player and then a guy in the Netherlands made all the changes to it. Mine has the upgraded feet, time clock, power cord, and upsampler 24/192. It is by far the most analog sounding deck I have ever heard, it uses two 6Dj8 tubes in the output section, it does not have the XLR connections though and it comes with a remote also. Funny as much as I love the way it sounds it rarely gets turned on!!! Some times it sits for 8 or more months without being used, because of my TT and Tape Decks!!!

[tom_hankins]

That seems to be the fate of a lot of digital devices. LOL

[cpp]

I heard the Line Magnetic LM-515 and it sounded really nice.

[Audioraven]

If you've got a large ($8000) budget, the Aesthetix Romulus CD player meets your requirements.

[microstrip]

My long time CD player favorite - the Audio Research CD8. You can find them now used at a fraction of retail price and IMHO they are hard to beat to spin CD's.