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Tube CD player w/ balanced output

Greetings,
My first post after much lurking. I have started to upgrade my system bit by bit; as a result I have decided to finally abandon my bias against digital audio. My amp is a McIntosh 6900 so I would like something w/ balanced output to take full advantage of the options the McIntosh offers. I recently heard a couple of tube CD players (a Raysonic 168 and a Consonance 220T I think) and was quite impressed with the results. I'd like to spend say $1000 or under if possible. I admit to being new to the audiophile world after hovering at its edges for some time, especially when it comes to CD players, so if you think I'm looking in the wrong direction please let me know. Any advice, suggestions, etc. are greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Jo
aquabahn
aquabahn OP
8 posts
 
Thanks all for the input. Considering the responses here, I think I may have to readjust my projected budget. Seems like $1K isn't going to get it done if I want tube and balanced output. The Morrow Audio fits, but I can't find any reviews or commentary on it. Also had someone recommend a Shanling CD 300/3000 (both players look similar with the round display in the middle of the faceplate). From googling a bit it appears that the balanced output on the Shanling is for the solid state channel only (from a 6 Moons review: "6922 tubes do remain for the CD-3000, albeit below deck vented through perf openings and active only for the RCA outputs. The XLRs offer a transistor flavor for variety")--not sure how I feel about that. Will have to look into the Lector CDP 0.6 as it looks promising and used probably would not be that far out of my price range. A used Raysonic is another possibility. I'd love to be able to afford the BAT VK-D5SE but $2500 for a used unit is more than I can afford at the moment. Have heard wonderful things about the Doge 6--no balanced output but a very reasonable price. It's on my preliminary list.

-Joel
mitch2
3,760 posts
 
Unfortunately the Lectors only have single-ended analogue outputs until you get up to the $9K+ Digidrive and Digicode combo, which is fully balanced. However, the CDP 7TL MkIII sounds great, so if you have the scratch there are two Digidrive/Digicode sets for sale on Audiogon right now.
aquabahn OP
8 posts
 
Mitch2,
Thanks for that info on the Lector. I thought that might be the case and your post confirms it. Alas, I don't have the scratch to afford the Digidrive combo. Right now I think my two prime options are the Raysonic 128 or 168 or the Consonance 2.2 Mk II. The Doge 6 remains a dark horse along with the Lector.
dgordonl
128 posts
 
Aquabahn,
If you have to choose between the Raysonics the 168 is far better than the 128..
better transport,dual dacs,volume control so you can use it without a preamp.
ludimagis
128 posts
 
If you can, audition a Cambridge Audio Azur 840c ($1100-used) Has balanced out and I think you will be very impressed.
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