Most expensive or highest quality digital source ever in your system?

[Mr Peabody]

Hi guys, I have the only post in the Digital Domain! I guess that really don't mean much, but I'm easy to amuse sometimes.

So let us know, what is the most expensive digital source you've had in your personal system and if that wasn't the best to you what was, still having been in your system? I don't want to know what you've heard before, I want to know what you have actually used hooked up in your system.

My Krell 280cd is my most expensive with having had a msrp of $3,250.00. The Audio Note DAC I'm using now msrp of $1,500.00. Which is better is subjective but I prefer the AN.

[elapsed]

Most expensive digital source in my system is Naim CD5x with FlatCap-2x power supply. MSRP is $4,400. This is both the most insanely priced and most rewarding item I've ever purchased.

Second most expensive was my used Krell KAV-400xi integrated, which I traded for a new Naim Nait5i, which will soon be upgraded to Naim 122/150 separates

[Mr Peabody]

It looks like you are on the ride I started several years back. It starts out with one good piece and then you wonder, if that is so good, what if I upgrade this piece. Then your system sounds better and you run through your music collection hearing things as if it was the first time again. Then you say, well I haven't yet upgraded this piece yet, and so on. I'm now at a point where I am satisfied. Will I ever upgrade again, maybe, but I'm not looking to, it's like now that I've found something satisfying the restlessness is gone.

[elapsed]

My dream system right now is Naim 202/200/CDX2, I should be able to get there over the next two years if I budget and save. I'm fairly confident I could remain happy with that system for many years to come (unless I do something silly like audition a Hi-Cap power supply with the 202!).

In any case, my baby Nait integrated amp is fantastic, anything over and above this amp is just icing on the cake

[jrhymeammo]

I can't really participate in this topic, but wouldnt mind hearing more from others on their experience.

There days, I cannot stand listening to digital source. My Marantz just isnt doing it for me. But I can stay up all night listening to vinyl with my VTL phono pre. I need more tubes in my system!!

Any recommendation on tube digi?

JRA

[basite]

don't give up yet JRA :)

At our Hifi dealer I saw a heavily modded Marantz cd6000, one of the mods done was a tube output stage, maybe something like that also exists for your marantz :)

otherwise, use the digital out and get a tube DAC, enough DAC's out there :)

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[Feanor]

Hi guys, I have the only post in the Digital Domain! I guess that really don't mean much, but I'm easy to amuse sometimes.

So let us know, what is the most expensive digital source you've had in your personal system and if that wasn't the best to you what was, still having been in your system? I don't want to know what you've heard before, I want to know what you have actually used hooked up in your system.

My Krell 280cd is my most expensive with having had a msrp of $3,250.00. The Audio Note DAC I'm using now msrp of $1,500.00. Which is better is subjective but I prefer the AN.

For those whining about CD quality, I have a few suggestions:

Listen to more classical music where there is less compression and fewer "hot"/bright recordings.
Buy more SACDs which are usually recorded with a more audiophile result in mind.
Improve your downstream components -- I got far, far more improvement reducing the harsh/bright sound of many CDs by swapping my amp, (high-bias, low feedback) and preamp, (tube), than the various CDPs and DAC I've tried.In any case, my most expensive digital component is an Assemblage DAC 1.5 modified by Parts ConneXion. This cost me about $500 which, in retrospect, I don't consider money particularly well spent.

For CD, nowadays, I fancy a Monarchy M-24 tube DAC, (with actual tube amplification stage, not just a tube output buffer). This unit was highly recommended by Morricab over at AA, and his ears are about as "golden" as they get, IMO.

Or, alternatively, a Cambridge Audio 840C: it is not only a CD player but also can function as DAC for another source (such as my computer -- critical in my case). It feature selectable upsampling and front-to-back balanced circuitry. The 840C got a rave review in TAS recently, if the means anything.

[jrhymeammo]

Hey Bill,

You got an email..

[Mr Peabody]

JRA, I can't remember the model but the Jolida cdp that runs around $800.00 is fairly popular. For around the same money you could probably find an Audio Note DAC on the used market. For even less a used Conrad Johnson, though solid state, is very very sweet. If I had to buy another cdp for some reason I have my eye on the single box player by Audio Note that runs around $2,500.00. Shanling has some tube players for less and even a SACD. You could try one of those Musical Fidelity tube buffers but for the money I'm sure you could find a used DAC that would do more for you.

I have to give Cambridge Audio props, I've wondered for years why some one didn't allow an input to the players DAC.

Feanor, my thing is if your player don't get the information off the disc to begin with it's just lost. With that said, you do have to have down stream components to treat what information you do have, to your liking.

Without sounding like RGA's clone, I can't tell you what an impact on my listening direction the Audio Note DAC had on me. Even with it on the front end of my Krell the change was both enlightening and enjoyable. It led me to do a dramatic change in my system to what I have now.

[Feanor]

Hey Bill,

You got an email..

I replied. I think either of the Monarchy amps will be closer to what your looking.

[musicman1999]

Mine would be a Sim Audio Moon Calypso DVD player, canadian retail about $5,000.Absolutely fantastic picture and sound, also a very good cd player.It weighs about 30 pounds, made from high quality components and has a seperate power supply for the analog and digital sections.

bill

[StevenSurprenant]

This will be different...

I've owned DAC's that cost about $1800, but my favorite by a landslide is, get this.., a Behringer DCX 2496 electronic crossover modified with Selectronic upgrades.

As a DAC it creates an awesome soundstage and clarity that far outdistances anything I have heard before. There are two or three more upgrades I will be performing that should bring it to world class standard, or so I hope.

Anyhow, that's my cats meow!

[jrhymeammo]

JRA, I can't remember the model but the Jolida cdp that runs around $800.00 is fairly popular. For around the same money you could probably find an Audio Note DAC on the used market. For even less a used Conrad Johnson, though solid state, is very very sweet. If I had to buy another cdp for some reason I have my eye on the single box player by Audio Note that runs around $2,500.00. Shanling has some tube players for less and even a SACD. You could try one of those Musical Fidelity tube buffers but for the money I'm sure you could find a used DAC that would do more for you.

A tube DAC seems to be an option I should look into, but can't keep thinking that my amp is the culprit of my problem. My Marantz was a great player back when I was using a tube integrated. But then again, the speakers I was using at the time didnt reveal microdynamics.

Jolida seems like a good unit to with plenty of options. I wonder how modified JD100A would stack up against some of the most exotic players.


http://www.levick.de/javasno4.htm

JRA

[Mr Peabody]

I don't know which tube integrated you had but it could be that it smoothed the high end out enough, or hid some of the harshness of the player. I haven't heard BAT or PS Audio, but from reputation, I wouldn't think either of them would cause listener fatigue and why wouldn't you experience the same problem when listening to turntable, if it was the amp. It's probably the higher resolution separates showing the weakness where the integrated wasn't able to.

It's hard to say about the Jolida, it's like modding it has become a separate hobby to itself. I personally don't want to buy a product and then spend more money on it to make it sound good, I'd rather take the sum of the money and buy a good player to begin with. But maybe that amount would still be cheaper, I haven't researched all the places that mod them and what it costs.

I wish we lived close enough we could swap some gear around for listening purposes.

[jrhymeammo]

I don't know which tube integrated you had but it could be that it smoothed the high end out enough, or hid some of the harshness of the player. I haven't heard BAT or PS Audio, but from reputation, I wouldn't think either of them would cause listener fatigue and why wouldn't you experience the same problem when listening to turntable, if it was the amp. It's probably the higher resolution separates showing the weakness where the integrated wasn't able to.

It's hard to say about the Jolida, it's like modding it has become a separate hobby to itself. I personally don't want to buy a product and then spend more money on it to make it sound good, I'd rather take the sum of the money and buy a good player to begin with. But maybe that amount would still be cheaper, I haven't researched all the places that mod them and what it costs.

I wish we lived close enough we could swap some gear around for listening purposes.

Mr. Liang or Laing or Luiang or something tube integrated is what I have. I'm 100% positive that it's not one of the more revealing units ever produced, but offers midrange to die for. I still use it for certain music(mellow Jazz) with my Maggies. It's simply amazing, until passages become complexed then it runs outta juice.

Aside from warmer sound of vinyl, my tube phono pre w/ upgrade REL caps definetely helps feed my tubeatitis.
Well, I bought it modified so I'm not sure how upgraded caps impacted the unit.

I'm not exactly sure if every gears would benefit from Black Gate caps, Riken resistors, and better diodes, but seems like mod places such as Underwood HiFi uses the same parts for every mods they offer. I had called them today to see if they can modify my HCA-2, but not luck. Without knowing engineering sides, it makes me wonder why they can't just pop in Black Gate caps, Riken resistors, and some ultra fast recovering diodes like they do to every single units they offer...? Maybe hermv knows a thing or two.

As for swapping gears, I have 2 projects in Troy, so when I start coming there on a monthly basis, I'll be sure to bring my BAT and VTL if you wont mind.
I also got some major projects in Huntsville, AL. Maybe Dinno would be kind enough to swap gwith my gears for a month or two.

JRA

[PeruvianSkies]

Hi guys, I have the only post in the Digital Domain! I guess that really don't mean much, but I'm easy to amuse sometimes.

So let us know, what is the most expensive digital source you've had in your personal system and if that wasn't the best to you what was, still having been in your system? I don't want to know what you've heard before, I want to know what you have actually used hooked up in your system.

My Krell 280cd is my most expensive with having had a msrp of $3,250.00. The Audio Note DAC I'm using now msrp of $1,500.00. Which is better is subjective but I prefer the AN.

2-weeks ago a friend of mine brought over his Accuphase MDS CDP DP-500, which I thought was very good, but wasn't totally blown away with it. I am not even sure what it lists for these days, but it wasn't dramatically better than my Parasound D3 unit that I am using. The Accuphase gear looks retro in pictures of it, but up close it's actually better looking and feels more rigid than pictures would allow you to believe.

[basite]

The Accuphase gear looks retro in pictures of it, but up close it's actually better looking and feels more rigid than pictures would allow you to believe.



I totally agree, at the premiere of B&W's diamond series, the speakers were driven by a 45 watt class A accuphase amp, and the TOTL accuphase preamp, cd transport & DAC.

that did blow me away :)

accuphase gear has a classy look on it, but different than Macs, but they are kinda the same build quality & rigidity :)

[Feanor]

2-weeks ago a friend of mine brought over his Accuphase MDS CDP DP-500, which I thought was very good, but wasn't totally blown away with it. I am not even sure what it lists for these days, but it wasn't dramatically better than my Parasound D3 unit that I am using. The Accuphase gear looks retro in pictures of it, but up close it's actually better looking and feels more rigid than pictures would allow you to believe.

Accuphase components are gorgeous, IMO. Retro? I'd just say classic. Much less gaudy than McIntosh, which are retro -- I love McIntosh too, though. :cornut:

Accuphase DP-500 ...

[PeruvianSkies]

Accuphase components are gorgeous, IMO. Retro? I'd just say classic. Much less gaudy than McIntosh, which are retro -- I love McIntosh too, though. :cornut:

Accuphase DP-500 ...


I guess what I meant is that the look of their gear still is reminiscent of the 1980's, but when you actually get up close and personal their look is more timeless, you can then see just how sturdy and defined the units are. I was impressed with how much detail is lost in the pictures of them online. They are beauties!

[SlumpBuster]

I think I'm in JRA's camp on this one. I rarely listen to CDs in my home system. Accordingly, I have a Sony CDR deck that retailed for $800 about 8 years ago and use the DAC in my Yammie AVR. My DVD player is and 8-9 year old JVC, again DACs in the Yammie. High end digital I am not. :D Some of you jimmies have cables that cost more than my entire digital front end.

[Mark of Cenla]

The best source I ever had was a Sherwood CD-7080R.

[dingus]

an Enlightened Audio Designs DSP 1000 MKII, upgraded to MKIII. very nice sounding DAC that has performed very well with 4 different players.

most recently a Wadia WT3200 transport that i am still evaluating. this thing is really good at bringing out subtlety and nuance in the recording. as far as i can tell (at this point, still messing with cables) there isnt much difference in the rest of the sound from the Kenwood dvd player that i was using.

[Mr Peabody]

Mr. Wellman, you haven't begun to hear the potential of your discs yet.

Dingus you have me confused. First you say the Wadia brings out the subtleties, then you say there's no difference between that and the Kenwood DVD player. I'm assuming you are talking about just using the DVD as a transport as that is all the Wadia is. In my experience the sound quality differences are less noticeable between transports than they are between players analog outputs. So if the Wadia and DVD are running into the same DAC the difference you hear will be subtle.

[dingus]

Dingus you have me confused. First you say the Wadia brings out the subtleties, then you say there's no difference between that and the Kenwood DVD player. I'm assuming you are talking about just using the DVD as a transport as that is all the Wadia is. In my experience the sound quality differences are less noticeable between transports than they are between players analog outputs. So if the Wadia and DVD are running into the same DAC the difference you hear will be subtle.


... there isnt much difference in the rest of the sound from the Kenwood dvd player that i was using. ... the big difference i notice with the Wadia are the subtleties, the rest not so much and yes, that is with the Kenwood dvd acting as a transport as well. i am using a digital coax cable at the moment but i am waiting for an original Wadia st optical cable to arrive before i pass final judgment.

i will also be demo'ing a tube buffer with the Wadia and the Kenwood so i still have lots of evaluating to do before i settle on a final configuration.

[Mr Peabody]

I don't think the tube buffer excepts a digital signal, so it may work with the DVD's analog out but not directly from the Wadia. I think the buffer would be a waste of money putting it after the EAD. I would have thought the EAD sounded pretty good. One review was favorable but mentioned it was a bit soft for things like Rock. The buffer may be too much. Let me know what you think though.

[dingus]

you are correct, the tube buffer will follow the DAC. if it doesnt work well with the EAD then i will at least evaluate it with the Kenwood alone. either way i'll report back.

[jrhymeammo]

What tube buffer are you looking into?

[dingus]

What tube buffer are you looking into?
http://www.sound-thinking.org/index.php?showtopic=3571

[jrhymeammo]

http://www.sound-thinking.org/index.php?showtopic=3571
Cool!!!

But what makes their stuff much more superior than 6J1 based tube buffer made by Yaqin...? http://cgi.ebay.com/YAQIN-6J1-x-2-St-Sound-Upgrade-Processor-Tube-Buffer_W0QQitemZ190166065763QQihZ009QQcategoryZ149 78QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

SN ratio looks quite high, and I'm not really sure if that's something you wanna toy with. Also, if it really does use a pair of 6J1, then you might want to make sure you can get a replacement pair.

I think you should just get one by Musical Fidelity. They are going for $299 brand new, and you can always get a used one for around $200.

1 week free trial looks fun though. Let us know about it after you had chance to play around.

Regards,

[dingus]

Cool!!!

But what makes their stuff much more superior than 6J1 based tube buffer made by Yaqin...? http://cgi.ebay.com/YAQIN-6J1-x-2-St-Sound-Upgrade-Processor-Tube-Buffer_W0QQitemZ190166065763QQihZ009QQcategoryZ149 78QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

SN ratio looks quite high, and I'm not really sure if that's something you wanna toy with. Also, if it really does use a pair of 6J1, then you might want to make sure you can get a replacement pair.

I think you should just get one by Musical Fidelity. They are going for $299 brand new, and you can always get a used one for around $200.

1 week free trial looks fun though. Let us know about it after you had chance to play around.

Regards,
i havent looked at any other brands, it was offered for demo so i decided to try it. if i like what i hear i'll definitely look deeper into tube buffers including other brands and options.

[jrhymeammo]

Mr. Peabody.

dingus, please share us your impression on the unit after your demo.

Things to keep in mind.

If you decide you dont like it after making the purchase:

It'll become a hard sale if you dont have spare tubes, or an end user cannot find replcaement tubes.
I think you can always get replacement tubes from MF for X-10s, but I believe those tubes last quite longer than typical in/output tubes. Also, I wouldn't be too optimistic about grades of those stock 6J1 tubes. Chinese companies use some cheap and irreplaceable tubes to cut down on costs. It'll be very unlikely that Yaqin/Grant will try to acquire matching and balanced tubes in bulks. If anything they wouldnt be any different from those noisy B-stock tubes you see on Ebay.

Good luck

[dingus]

np, its only a demo, there is no commitment to buy.

[enrique]

My dvda/sacd lexicon rt-10.For cdp i have an eastern electric minimax via analog.

[Mark of Cenla]

Mr. Wellman, you haven't begun to hear the potential of your discs yet.


First, call me Mark :cornut: . I am well aware of that. Most of you would cringe if you knew what I listen to most of the time. But... do not sell that Sherwood short. It has compared favorably to CD players well over $1000. Actually, I gave it to a friend. Peace.


:16:

[dingus]

got the B-283 tube buffer today. right now running it with the Kenwood DV-4070 via analog outs. on first listen right out of the box it sounds very nice. in comparison, to the Wadia WT-3200/EAD DSP 1000 combo, its got less gain but on adjusting the volume when switching the source, the B-283 sounds very comparable. going to listen to it exclusively over the next week before i do any further critical listening and comparing.

[Mr Peabody]

When comparing you should pick a couple things off a recording to concentrate on and go back and forth a couple times. I can see how the buffer might smooth the sound of the DVD player out but I doubt if "comparable" is accurate. I don't see how the DVD player could have the same amount of detail the EAD has. When listening, instead of trying to take in the whole recording just pick maybe one or two things at a time, like certain cymbals, the bass line, vocals etc,.is there anything noticeable, or more noticeable, on one but not the other.

[dingus]

i did just that. it was a quick comparison, admittedly, i was not doing any serious listening on either source, but neither was i able to discern anything obvious that put one above the other. i want to give the tube buffer ample time to break-in before i get real serious. Ian at Grant Fidelity said it should take about a week.

[Glen B]

For those whining about CD quality, I have a few suggestions:
Listen to more classical music where there is less compression and fewer "hot"/bright recordings.

Huh ? I know that you mean well but what if the person is not into classical music ? Should they force themselves to listen to a genre they don't care for just for better recordings ? I have a percentage of classical CDs in my collection but its not what I listen to primarily.


Buy more SACDs which are usually recorded with a more audiophile result in mind.

I buy mostly from CD Universe and just last night I went through their entire list of SACDs. The majority were classical, followed by other stuff that I have no interest in. I did not even see any SACD versions of redbook classical titles I already own. There were only three or four SACDs in their entire list that I would buy.

[Feanor]

Huh ? I know that you mean well but what if the person is not into classical music ? Should they force themselves to listen to a genre they don't care for just for better recordings ? I have a percentage of classical CDs in my collection but its not what I listen to primarily..

If you don't like classical music, that's your loss, but I'm not suggesting you force yourself to listen to it. Then again if you do, look for SACD versions.


I buy mostly from CD Universe and just last night I went through their entire list of SACDs. The majority were classical, followed by other stuff that I have no interest in. I did not even see any SACD versions of redbook classical titles I already own. There were only three or four SACDs in their entire list that I would buy.

If the music you want isn't on SACD, you can't buy it that way. Are you saying that more of what you what is on LP than SACD? Possibly for you, but it isn't the case for me. I'll admit that most of the music, (classical), that I buy isn't available on SACD either. But if it is I usually buy the SACD version, especially for large-scale and choral works.

[Glen B]

If you don't like classical music, that's your loss, but I'm not suggesting you force yourself to listen to it. Then again if you do, look for SACD versions.

Did I say I did not like classical music ? I said I have classical CDs in my collection but its not primarily what I listen to. I especially fond of pipe organ which I listen to from time to time. Even if I did not like classical why would it be my loss or that of anyone who does not care for classical music ? You like what you like, others like what they like, Can't we all get along ?


If the music you want isn't on SACD, you can't buy it that way. Are you saying that more of what you what is on LP than SACD? Possibly for you, but it isn't the case for me. I'll admit that most of the music, (classical), that I buy isn't available on SACD either. But if it is I usually buy the SACD version, especially for large-scale and choral works.
Where did I mention LPs ? What I said was that the majority of SACD titles that CD Universe has are classical (and or/other artists whom I don't listen to). Why would I buy stuff I don't like just for sound quality ? It would not make much sense. I don't mind expanding the classical portion of my music collection but not at the expense of other music that I listen to more and would prefer to obtain first.

[jrhymeammo]

i did just that. it was a quick comparison, admittedly, i was not doing any serious listening on either source, but neither was i able to discern anything obvious that put one above the other. i want to give the tube buffer ample time to break-in before i get real serious. Ian at Grant Fidelity said it should take about a week.
Hey dingus,

I'm confused as usual so help me out here.
I was under the impression that majority of demo units were passed down for demo-ee, such as yourself.

Have you consulted Grant on what the difference is from the unit by Yaqin? Also, were you able to locate replacement tube on the net somewhere? I imagine the stock tube is just crap, and you'll defintelyu benefit more from a tube that has been tested.

I mean, would you just buy a bulk of light bulbs from a grocery store and light your room? Me? I'm dont consider myself a Discerning Room Illuminist, but prefer to buy a pack that lasts more than 1000 hours and actually look good. Not one of those energy saving florescent bulbs.... they are nausiating just like cheap tubes.

Hope I'm not coming across a bit bitter.

Regards,

J

[dingus]

this is what i know about the unit ...


This is the GF B-283 Tube processor. It is a new sample unit with the unmodified appearance. Designed to be installed between Solid State CD/DVD outs to improve the sound of your player. It has found many more uses as it is a line level device with RCA connections that adds subtle tube processing to your system.

More Info here:
http://grantfidelity.com/site/node/75

More pics here:
http://grantfidelity.com/site/image

i have not sought out any alternative tubes as it is not my unit. i have another 10 days with it before i have to send it off for the next on the list to try out.

[iGrant]

Hey dingus,

I'm confused as usual so help me out here.
I was under the impression that majority of demo units were passed down for demo-ee, such as yourself.

Have you consulted Grant on what the difference is from the unit by Yaqin? Also, were you able to locate replacement tube on the net somewhere? I imagine the stock tube is just crap, and you'll defintelyu benefit more from a tube that has been tested.

I mean, would you just buy a bulk of light bulbs from a grocery store and light your room? Me? I'm dont consider myself a Discerning Room Illuminist, but prefer to buy a pack that lasts more than 1000 hours and actually look good. Not one of those energy saving florescent bulbs.... they are nausiating just like cheap tubes.

Hope I'm not coming across a bit bitter.

Regards,

J

Hi J,

Ian from Grant Fidelity here, came accross the thread doing some 6J1 rolling research of which there is many options including the GE JAN 5654W. Just a heads up on the Chinese tube situation, in the last two years Chinese tubes have improved drastically to the point where they are quite decent. We have 5 factories doing OEM for us and all the designers design to the tubes provided with the unit. Another point to consider is that to import tubes into China is expensive and then to export them in a product thru the sales chain will drive the retail price of the product up. The B-283 sounds great with the supplied Shuguang 6J1 tubes and from there it is personal taste as to which tube you roll with. We of course carry replacement stock for the 6J1 which has a life expectancy of over 10,000 hours.

My first post here :)

Best,
Ian

[jrhymeammo]

Hey Ian,

Nice to see a distributor actually take their time to post. Maybe you shoud post at AudioCircle in a manufacturer site(not sure how they work though).

So what is a function of your company? Bringing in the product from China for US customers? If so, that does give us a buffer zone, cuz we dont have to purchase directly from China with 12wks of leadtime.

It would never make sense for China to import vaccum tubes from Russia. Alot of us know that Shuguang is startingt o receive more and more credible praises on their tubes, but no matter who makes it there seems to be a large margin of bad tubes on the market. Since you offer replacement tubes, you should know this alot more than I do. I'm not too sure about stated 10000 hours though.

Could you please tell us what all the testing you do with replacement tubes you offer?


Here is another X-CAN V,3 alternative:

http://www.decware.com/newsite/mainmenu.htm

JRA


Actually you wouldnt be a distributor, would you? Product name has been changed from Yaqin.

[Mr Peabody]

I wonder if the electronics, or other product distributors who bring things in from China feel a concern over the recent epidemic of product recalls. I personally am now in the habit of avoiding Chinese products. There are too many problems to ignore and not to think there is a general lack of integrity from their manufacturers.

[Feanor]

...
Where did I mention LPs ? What I said was that the majority of SACD titles that CD Universe has are classical (and or/other artists whom I don't listen to). Why would I buy stuff I don't like just for sound quality ? It would not make much sense. I don't mind expanding the classical portion of my music collection but not at the expense of other music that I listen to more and would prefer to obtain first.

Agreed. It would be silly to buy music you don't care just to get SACD. I guess I did suggest listening to classical and buying SACD in the same breath ...



Listen to more classical music where there is less compression and fewer "hot"/bright recordings.
Buy more SACDs which are usually recorded with a more audiophile result in mind.
I'm sorry if I seemed to link them together in the way you construed. The first is a fact about classical recordings in general, the second a fact about SACDs in general, and I didn't mean to imply a necessary connection between them.

[basite]

Hi J,

Ian from Grant Fidelity here, came accross the thread doing some 6J1 rolling research of which there is many options including the GE JAN 5654W. Just a heads up on the Chinese tube situation, in the last two years Chinese tubes have improved drastically to the point where they are quite decent. We have 5 factories doing OEM for us and all the designers design to the tubes provided with the unit. Another point to consider is that to import tubes into China is expensive and then to export them in a product thru the sales chain will drive the retail price of the product up. The B-283 sounds great with the supplied Shuguang 6J1 tubes and from there it is personal taste as to which tube you roll with. We of course carry replacement stock for the 6J1 which has a life expectancy of over 10,000 hours.

My first post here :)

Best,
Ian

Hi Ian,

On your site I looked at the 'At the GF factory' pictures, and all I saw were Vincent products (www.vincent-tac.de), and no Grant Fidelity products...

what's up with that?

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[iGrant]

Hi Ian,

On your site I looked at the 'At the GF factory' pictures, and all I saw were Vincent products (www.vincent-tac.de), and no Grant Fidelity products...

what's up with that?

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

One of our factories makes them as well. :) About half of the photos are of that factory.

Ian

[iGrant]

Hi JRA,

thanks for the questions and link to Decware (nice site). We currently have various OEM factories in China, which custom make products for us under the Grant Fidelity name. Our distribution/dealer model allows the pricing to remain competitive with online sales, but allows for demonstration and North American sales, service and warranty.

As I'm sure you know, pre-amp type tubes last much longer than power tubes, my 6J1's are at just over 8000 hours (only occasionally turned off). Our testing for replacement tubes depends on the tube type and use, we match power tubes and test pre-amp tubes, but so far this has been a maytag repairman issue, not much to do yet, only a few bad tubes mailny due to mishandling as they are baked for 24 hours in the factory. If a request for matched pre-amp tubes is submitted we will match for a small fee. 95% of our tubes are Shuguang.

Re AudioCircle, we have sent off a freebie B-283 to the Junior Audiophile Circle and once I figure out their rules will say Hi :) If you would like to know more about Grant Fidelity, please PM me.

Thanks,
Ian

[dingus]

i've finished a week with the B-283 tube buffer in my rig. it made a big improvement over the sound of the Kenwood DV-4070 alone (across the board improvement!), but it wont be displacing the Wadia WT3200\EAD DSP 1000 combo. as i noted earlier the Wadia is very good with subtle details and nuance, but the biggest difference was the level of refinement in the sound. this is a reflection in the differences between the players and not the B-283, but i cant run the Wadia and the B-283 together ...

[Mr Peabody]

Dingus, why not? You just hook the buffer onto the end of The EAD as you did with the kenwood analog out. The EAD/Wadia just have to be together because it's two pieces of CD playback that are normally found in one box. The buffer and DAC are two very different things.

[dingus]

that was my initial plan, but after talking about it i came to the conclusion that this wouldnt give a true appraisal of the B-283 or the Wadia\EAD combo. i guess i'll try the trio and see who i like how it.