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Tube cdp's and Tubed Output cdp's

I don't know much about cdp's that use tubes and I'd like to understand more about the. Thanks in advance for all your helpful information.

My first question is, what types of tube cdp's are there? (i.e. Tube cdp, tubed output cdp)

Second, what are the advantages of using a tube cdp vs. a ss cdp?

Third, if you use a tube cdp, do you have to let the tubes warm up before using it to listen to music?

Thanks again for all your responses,
Mike

I'm currently using a Level 1+ Music Hall CD25 that was modified by Part Connexion. (Goes into a Sunfire preamp and Sunfire amp to Klipsch Legend series speakers.)

I have recently switched to NBS Master III speaker cables which have really brought out the midrange and have tamed the brightness of my Klipsch speakers.

My objective: Improve the midrange and clarity even more and make the sound smoother.
vman71

Showing 2 responses by zosima

zosima
23 posts
 
If you want the benefit of tubes, I would put a tube preamp in the system. The MF X10 is overrated and adds the expense of another pair of interconnects. If a CD player NEEDS the X10 to sound good, time to get a new CD player. It's really sub $1000 players that benefit from the x10. I'd say save the money and buy a better player.

For me, lots of average sounding players $1000 and under (used), some gems. Once you spend $1000+, things get interesting and tubes are not necessary. Tube output stages help the cheaper players, but somewhat unnecessary in better players.
zosima
23 posts
 
Well, boa2 you are correct. Tubes do have a sound and magic about them that is quite their own. I do not think I ever implied or said that tubes and solid state sound the same. Please do not put words into my mouth.

I suppose I should have said that in my experience to my ears with some of the better digital gear in certain system contexts, I did not feel that adding tubes either to the output stage of the digital gear or to the system as a whole would have added anything for me. So, in these instances I felt tubes were unnecessary to add to system synergy or my enjoyment of music.

In contrast, with lesser digital I have heard, I did feel that adding tubes either to the output stage or somewhere in the system would have added to system synergy and my enjoyment of the music.

Audio is subjective. I feel like tubes are good some of the time and perhaps for some of the people. I'm not of the opinion that a system is required to have tubes to sound good or that tubes are ALWAYS beneficial. And, I would never say that tubes and solid state sound the same.
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