problems with 24 bit cd players

my reference cd player is the audionote cd 2 from 1994. it takes a 12 volt tube. i am using a ge 5751 blackplate. i have compared many cd players and none comes close.

yes, some would consider the audionote overly subtractively colored, but whatever deficiencies the magnepan has, the problems which i usually identify--brightness and a lack of warmth are not an issue when the audionote is in my system. i am looking for a cd player which sounds as close as possible to the audionote.

with respect to the paradisea dac, will an oppo cd player as transport suffice to produce the euphonic presentation that supposedly is its character ?

hi rotarius:

i own this player. i will sell it shortly. it too is lacking in the upper/basss/lower mid range and has too much energy in the upper mids/lower treble. i think 24/192 chips have problems. they present music in a manner i would characterize as "hyper-detailed". i believe a tubed gain or output stage can somewhat offset the effect of the chip, but selecting an appropriate capacitor is also necessary.

i am having a tough time finding a current production player.

hi tvad:

i prefer not to purchase a separate dac and transport.

are the non over sampling dacs tube based and 20 bit ? i already listened to an ack! dac and scott nixon tube dac. i was not impressed with either.

i suppose if i heard a dac/transport combination that was sufficiently pleasantly euphonic i might reconsider my aversion to a dac.

the reason i am not interested in a current production audio note is that it is not 20 bit, does not use a 12 volt tube and does not sound like the audio note cd2.

the reason i am not looking for a cd2 is its age and the chance that the transport , i.e., laser will need replacement. my player is showing signs of wear and has tracking problems. i am looking for a current production cd player that comes as close as possible to the audio note. i don't expect to obtain a carbon copy. if the best i can find is a "neutral" player, i will try to create the sound i am looking for in other ways.

newbee, i respect your right to have an opinion.

i am gratified that you are amused. i too am often amused when reading posts. sometimes real life is funnier than what's on tv. i have a feeling there are some latent comedy writers lurking in these posts.

hi tvad:

you are technically correct about the components of the audio note. i tend to get imprecise. i am looking for a non upsampling less than 24 bit cd player.

i have been looking into the paradisea dac. it may or may not be appropriate. i am not sure about how transport sensitive it is as well as the extent to which the dac is affected by changes in digital cable. anyway, it is good to have a second digital source.

hi herman:

hi herman, you are railing against redundancy. it would have been suffiecient to say:

i am looking for an 18 or 16 bit player. i apologize for unnecessary words.