Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Thankyou Paul79 for all your input, what is a good cost alternative to the tubes you recommended for my 12AU7/12AX7 tubes for my player,I like deep bass, transparency, Big sound stage presatation, NO forward presatation!, texture on the mid-range, and top end sparkle, look forward to your reply, BTw, that Plasmatron is a speacial unit, go to vh audio web-site and take a peek at it, I have known about that for a very long time, cheers.

Correct AudioL

Hi Matt, if I recall correctly, K-01 might have some dedicated USB drivers on a CD shipped with the unit or downloadable from the Esoteric site. Were negative comments you heard related to use of K-01 with these dedicated drivers, or USB input via standard Windows / Mac drivers?

G.

Hey Al,
Try some 5751's in place of the 12AX7. GE or RCA any type. My favorite is the 50's version of the GE, which is a triple mica black plate with D getter. This early version can be identified by mica retainer clips above and below the inner 2 mica's. This one is very close to the 10M, if a 5751 works out in your circuit. I'd stay away from the Sylvania's. They are typically forward sounding.

12AU7? Since you have no extra heater current to spare, and you can't use a 12BH7A, I can't think of any that will give you what you want. 7318 is it. Sorry :(

I understand you are worried about reliability and not being able to find more of these rare tubes, but I still recommend the Mullard 10M 12AX7 and CBS 7318 for what you are trying to accomplish. You want what I want, and what most other people want out of their system. Chances are, your CD player is putting the tubes in a pretty light duty situation. They will likely last 30 years or more if you get truly NOS of these. That's how tough these suckers are. Yes, rare and pricey, but will last and be head and shoulders above all others of this type sonically. Spend the money. Don't sweat the petty things, and don't pet the sweaty things :)

Matt - the Overdrive SX will not support DSD. DSD will likely be supported in a new less-expensive DAC I have planned. It will probably not have XLR outs or volume control, but the plan is that it will be DC-coupled.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio