Is a tube output cd player with a tube amp overkill??

Trying to decide on whether to keep my standard cd player or my tube output unit. I'd like to have opinions on whether or not you think it's too much to use a tube cd player with a tube amp. There are those who would say that such a combination would be too syrupy or too colored. Is there any sonic benefit in terms of the qualities of tubes to using a tube cd player or does running any source through the tube amp take care of the necessary tube duties in itself? What would you use, generally speaking, if you were in this situation assuming both players are fine sounding units?

 

Sorry, Steve, but do you mean that it is indeed overkill to use a tube cd player with a tube amp, or are you saying that you would suggest "overkill" meaning the more tubes the better? Thanks!

 

Overkill if you listen to syrupy heavily colored tube gear. Tube gear done right isn't colored, just more dynamically open and alive IMO.

Solid state can be as colored as tube gear. Its all about the balance and what makes you happy. Go listen to some live unamplified bands and find your ear!

Vedric

 

Your question is so open ended that most any answer would have limited applicability. What tube cdp? What are the rest of the components? There is a tube in the Audio Note non-upsampling players but from what I understand, they are made to work in all tube systems.

Is this a serious question or are you just musing out loud?

 

Thanks, Steve. Ultimately, I will let my ears decide. But I'm setting the preliminary ground work for when my amp is finally finished and I am able to test everything out. Your point makes perfect sense to me and confirms what I already suspected, but I wasn't sure and so I had to ask. Another thing this makes me think of is your DCC cds or the Beatles lps that were mastered through tubes. Would this magnify the "rose colored glasses" effect in a similar way that may obscure accuracy or not? What do you think?

 

The cd players are a Music Hall CD 25 and a Heart C6000 with Amperex gold pin 7308s. The amplifier is a Harman Kardon A500 with a few minor mods such as bypassing the tone circuit and adding a standby switch. In addition, there have been several upgrades such as some Hovland Musicaps, a better power cord, etc. Speakers will be vintage Tannoy Monitor Gold 12" monitors.

This is a non-serious question. That's why I asked.

 

Perfectly fine, Gary. It really doesn't bother me at all. Feel free to divert the thread all you want. I find all of this to be incredibly interesting.

 

Steve, how about a tube tuner vs nice older solid state HK or Marantz or something? Same story with the tube cd player? Too rosy?

A tuner is the last vintage piece I need to buy right now since I sold my Arcam. My budget right now is around $50-$150. This opens up the playing field quite a bit in terms of vintage units. Any ideas or recommendations?

 

Prix, If you have both units let your ears be your guide. I have a SS SACD player going into all tubes after that, I think it sounds really good, however, I have an all tube system for vinyl and it is my preferred front end. I would love to try the new Musical Fidelity tube SACD player in my system, but I have not had the chance to do so yet. Use your ears!

 

I had an Ah! Njoe Tjoeb 4000, and it wasn't tuby at all, but it was just a lower-mid level player despite the mods. I prefer non-tubed players, but it depends how the tube is used. I think with Music Fidelity and Audio Note, the tube has a less significant effect than with something like a Jolida, and I believe their tubes are soldered to the board.

I would say start off non tube, then later you can decide if you want a more euphonic sound. I just don't think you can go too far wrong either way because you don't even know whayt the system will sound like until it is together. You can obsess about it from now to then, but only then will you really know what you want. Everyone has their own taste.

 

I see what you are saying. Steve's point about accurate sound is well taken, but ultimately I may prefer the colored, rosy sound, who knows. On one hand it's pointless to talk about it until I've hooked everything up, but I'm having such a hard time waiting for my amp to be finished, I've got to talk about something tubes in the meantime!

 

What about that tuna mate?

Edited: whoops, sorry. I see we got onto that topic. I should have read the whole thread before posting. Blurt.

Regards,
Geoff

 

Huh? Tuna? What's fish got to do with anything? Geoff, have you had one too many Foster's tonight?

 

I hear you. Have you ordered the speakers yet? You are going with alnico magnets right?

 

Yes, see my earlier post. They are vintage Tannoy Monitor Gold 12" units in their original factory cabinets. I CAN'T WAIT TO HOOK THIS SYSTEM UP AND HEAR IT!!!!

 

No self-respecting Aussie drinks that stuff mate. I'm addicted to the local San Francisco brew - Anchor Steam. Which reminds me ...

(tuna = tuner)

Regards,
Geoff

 

Kind of like Americans and Michelob, I guess.


So, what's your take on all of this? Tube cd player, tube tuner, tube amp? S.s. cd player, tube amp, tube tuner, etc.?