Jolida J100, Shanling CDT100, or 640C with DAC?

Aball,

We're probably talking apples and oranges here but assuming that a good digital cable is used with good PCs for the 640c and Audio Mirror, I would venture to say that set up would best the Jolida. Maybe not by a lot depending on other system parameters, but we're talking maybe $750 for a D1 and a good digital cable, versus approximately $1000 for the Jolida with NOS tubes. That's a $250 cost difference to go along with the improvement in sound. JMHO of course.

I'm not down on the Jolida. I even considered buying the Jolida and the D1. That way if I wanted the tube sound I could use the JD 100 as a CDP and if I wanted to use solid state I would use the JD 100 as a transport with the D1. Best of both worlds.

Rkerv - you may want to consider the above scenario. Then sell off or return what you don't need. Jolida's are a easy sell as well. Not to mention a number of dealers on Audiogon who will let you try it out first.

Sorry, but I have to put a word in for Shanling. The sound is okay out of the box but can be improved with just a tube change. The way to make it really make it sing is to get the unit modified by Reference Audio Mods. I had mine done by Kyle and it is impressive. Not too bad to look at either, a real conversational piece.

If there are tubes in the signal chain already- amp or preamp -why not a non tube CDP? Greatly expands the number of good to very good CDP's to consider.

Entrope,

Very good thought and one that influenced my decision. There is such a thing as too much warmth.

I have the JD100A and love it. I gained new appreciation for it with each upgrade in tubes, powercord and ic's. It is at it's best now and really good. However, I agree that too many tubes may be too warm. I'd be looking at a solid state front end if I had a tube amp and preamp already.