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Tube for a Noob ???

Hey all... I was hoping to get some advice on which way to go... I've been listening to digital all my life and wanted to get a taste of what tube brings to the table without changing the back end of my system... So I was thinking of either getting a turntable with a tube phono stage or getting an all tube cd player... I'll be able to run it through my processor (Classe SSP800) via analog inputs with no processing to the signal... The advantage with the cd side is I already have a library of cd's but I feel getting the turntable would be better getting that analog/tube sound I want to experience... Also does anyone know who makes a good tube cd/sacd player ? I hear that Rega makes good entry level turntables and of course need a easy to use tube phono stage... I want to be in the $1200 to $1500 budget.. And again, easy to set up and maintain...  Any help would be very much appreciated...
oem-wheels
dentdog's avatar
dentdog
482 posts
 
I would think it impossible to match CD/Music server quality for less that 5-6 K. IMO and coming from a person who is all tube/vinyl for the most part, that CD player I have comes close. It's only drawback is the vinyl solves the listener fatigue equation. Very little sameness throughout the night. Sometimes I go for 4-5 hours and can't do that with CDs. 
Another thing, building a collection of vinyl is an expense, although for me it has been fun. But then I have been building mine for 35 years. 
Also, be careful. You could get the bug and have another expensive obsession calling you in. 
Those late night sessions are magical though. 

oem-wheels OP
196 posts
 
THANKS PEOPLE...  turntable might not be the way to go for me.. PrimaLuna looks really nice but at $3000 I'd have to save some more money... Googled and found Jolida with some great reviews on their tube cd player... in my price range too... Also found Decware... But read their description and it said that it was strong enough to push a connected 40 watt amp... not sure what they mean by that ... I thought all you'd have to worry about is the input impedance..  I guess I'd have to call them so they can explain... my pre/pro (I think) is 47Kohm and amp is 100Kohm... 
lancelock
1,085 posts
 
The Modwright Oppo 105 with modded tube stage for 2 channel and it will handle your 5.1 HT as well. Works in my HT room. I stream from my network but it's also got a very good transport. Not cheap but still much less than a good vinyl setup and records are stupid expensive these days. 

oem-wheels OP
196 posts
 
i don't mind it getting expensive... i just don't want to dump $5k-6k right off the bat... i want to get a good idea in the beginning and then progress from there...
 
dentdog... may i ask what kind a cd player you have ?
mward
102 posts
 
I vote for a tube line stage and not a tube CD or phono stage. Too limiting to a single source. Most people expect a tubed line-stage (preamp) to be placed after the surround sound processor and use a home theater bypass built into that pre, but if your processor is decent at letting the signal through unaltered then you can reap benefits before it as well. And a tube pre wherever you place it can handle multiple connections from CD players and turntables and dacs. Much more flexible. I guess what I'm trying to say is don't rule out putting a new tube pre in front of your surround sound processor. You might have good results doing that and connecting ALL of your other components to it for tube sound.  Good luck.


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