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Message started by 4krow on 12/21/11 at 00:54:36

Title: CD Player Advice
Post by 4krow on 12/21/11 at 00:54:36

Does anyone know of a cd player with a tube output for a decent price. I have a Cayin right now, but am convinced that it will go bye bye some day soon.

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by Rivieraranch on 12/21/11 at 01:42:43

I have a Njoe Tjoeb, which is really nice. Get the one with the upsampler and the other upgrades.

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by 4krow on 12/21/11 at 02:07:55

wow, I havent heard of that player in some time. So they are available? And where can I buy one? They were quite the rage awhile back.

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by opnly_bafld on 12/21/11 at 03:30:44

https://www.decware.com/newsite/ZCD.htm

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by Rivieraranch on 12/21/11 at 12:53:35

The link to the ZCD has a picture of Steve's tube tester instead of the CD player.

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by Rivieraranch on 12/21/11 at 12:55:42

The Tjoeb player is still available from Upscale Audio.

http://www.upscaleaudio.com/products/Ah!-Njoe-Tjoeb-4000.html

http://www.upscaleaudio.com/products/Ah!-Njoe-Tjoeb-4000-with-SuperTubeClock%E2%84%A2.html

However for what they are asking the ZCD might prove better

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by Randy in Caintuck on 12/21/11 at 13:01:17

I will vouch for opnly_bafld's recommendation. I had one of the earlier models and it was one fine sounding player. To find something better, it took about $7500.00 at retail and the Decware player was not embarrassed in a head to head comparison.

Steve tells me that the new version is even better than the one I had .....

You won't go wrong with this one .....

Randy

PS ..... I do believe that Rivieraranch is right about the photo

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by Lon on 12/21/11 at 13:33:00

I was quite dissatisfied with the very first ZCD model; I owned this and never relaxed into the sound even after I added all the options. It did not accomplish my goal of making all my collection listenable in the way that three other players I've owned afterwards have. I much prefer the sound of the DEC685 that Steve built before the ZCD. I realize my experience was perhaps atypical.

Undoubtedly the new player is wonderful, there have been great reviews by users.

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by 4krow on 12/21/11 at 13:59:19

Option 'B' is that I just use my cheap phillips dvd player, and for the rest, use a new music server such as the one offered by Olive. I keep hearing how great HD is from wav files.

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by Doorman on 12/21/11 at 17:45:51

I've also been very happy with my ZCD, but would love to hear the latest version.
Best
don

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by KobeeDog on 01/15/14 at 00:57:11

It's always fun to revive a thread that's a few years old.

I have the Jolida JD100 CDP. It uses 2 x 12AX7 in the output stage (or 5751 if you want less gain). I had one years ago, sold it, and missed it so much I bought another! My all time favourite CDP.

http://audioreview.ca/default.aspx?pagename=review&reviewID=46

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by jameskk on 01/25/14 at 13:05:11

I have a zcd 200i, I also have a oppo cdp103. in the same system with a superzen amp and audio nirvana 2.8 cabinets , 10 inch driver in a 9x13 room . the zcd has more gain, bigger soundstage . the oppo is all things to audiophiles or videophiles . plays anything extremely well , very accurate... After installing Jupiter cryoed beeswax caps in the zcd and spending lots of money in 12au7's, the zcd got very good , however the oppo is more accurate and detailed. I'm happy with both and will keep both. Oh , after alls said and done I have about 1500 in the zcd , and the Oppo, well it was 499.00. lots of breakin required in both , both have volume control . Oppo has firmware updates , highly recommended!!! Remember its all a compromise!

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by mark58 on 01/25/14 at 13:46:27

I'll second the Jolida JD-100.

I've thought of upgrading to the PS Audio transport/DAC combo Lon uses when it was on sale for half price...4K or to the new Jolida Transport/DAC at $2300 with 6 tubes inside. But then I listen to my used JD 100 that I picked up for a little over $500 and think...."the enemy of Good is Better". With a pair of Raytheon 12AX7s with halo getters I picked up from Mike here, this sounds so good why mess with success. I do feel a small tinge of guilt when I think of pairing this budget CDP with my Torii MK IV and soon to arrive HR-1 speakers. I've got several times what it cost just in ICs and power cords. Oh well, such is the mystery of this Hobby. I plan on buying another JD 100 for a second system when I move my Taboo MK III out of my Listening Cave. Mark.

PS... Did I mention that it's beautiful? Plus the heavy steel remote doubles as an effective self defense weapon!

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by Doorman on 01/25/14 at 14:15:18

I had that same Jolida, but inspite of sounding fine, mine was plagued
with reliability problems, I'd have lived with it otherwise.

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by KobeeDog on 01/25/14 at 14:17:53

Jolida stuff is truly hit or miss when it comes to quality. Then again, so is almost 100% of the Chi-fi stuff I've owned.

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by mark58 on 01/25/14 at 14:31:38

Yes, all things mechanical/audio can have problems...I've had a couple CDPs malfunction and I usually just buy a new one rather than have it repaired. I still have them...I never throw anything away. I'm a little OCD like that.

I will add a couple caveats to my comments. First, this model has been discontinued and replaced by the more expensive..."Better"? JOLIDA FUSION DAC & TRANSPORT. Second, I read that the transport in it was not going to be manufactured anymore. So replacement parts and repair may be an issue in the future.

Mine had been recently sent to Jolida for service (I have the receipt) but the seller didn't tell me for what. Nor did he know the year of original purchase or manufacture. I got the impression he wasn't the original owner although he didn't come out and say so. Regardless, I plan on buying another. Mark

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by 4krow on 02/16/14 at 19:20:49

Mark,
"The enemy of good is better" Maybe I will have that put on my grave stone. Or maybe I will just stick with, " I told you I was sick". Either way, good stuff.
Now, I still have the Cayin, BUT I have been using a 'new' Yamaha SACD player, AND a 'new' Yamaha MX1000 CD bank, at least that's what I call it. It stores all of my Cd's in memory. It sounds ok, but for more serious listening I like the SACD. I have not compared the Cayin to either, but I can readily say that I like the Cayin sound over the Yamaha MX1000. Sometimes you don't have to have a horse race to know who will win.

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by mark58 on 03/29/14 at 19:56:19

Just thought I'd give an update. I've been using my silver faced Jolida 100 for seven months and recently bought a second one...black faced...on Audiogon. Both are unmodified except for a pair of 1950's Black Plate Baldwin labeled Raytheon 12AX7's (Not the expensive ones with windmill getters but the ones with halos)...they are a great improvement. This past week I moved the new/used Jolida 100, Taboo MK III and Audeze LCD 2.2 headphones with Silver Widow Balanced cables from Toxic cables to the den where I've been enjoying them immensely. I paid about $507 for the first Jolida CDP and $450 for the second including shipping so it's not a huge risk/investment. I'm sure there are better players but this one is very musical and simple to use. For the money, those on a budget or not...should consider picking one up. Mark.

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by KobeeDog on 03/29/14 at 20:14:12

Interesting ... I just opened up my second one yesterday to check what kind of tubes were in there. When I bought it (used) the seller told me there were Sylvania tubes in there.

Low and behold, they were Baldwin organ tubes as well. Mine have the green label on them (I heard they can also be yellow).

The manufacturer code on the suggests that they are in fact made by Sylvania.

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by Lon on 03/29/14 at 20:46:17

mark58 wrote on 03/29/14 at 19:56:19:

Glad you're happy with it Mark, and it's nice to have TWO. :)

I have too many players, and I hope I'm done buying them. DACs. . . that's a different story. . . .

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by mark58 on 03/29/14 at 20:48:40

Baldwin had tubes manufactured by different companies so each color printing was usually a different company. Green...Sylvania, Yellow...Raytheon. I think Brown were Japanese tubes. How do your's sound. The Raytheons are great...I also have a pair in my ZP3. I've ordered four GE Triple Mica Black Plate 5751's to try in the Jolida 100 and ZP3. Mark

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Raytheon-Baldwin-12AX7-ECC83-Stereo-Tube-1962-1150-1160-4772-/181341377572?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item2a38c9d424

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sylvania-Baldwin-12ax7-tubes-Matched-pair-same-codes-w-meas-tv-7-NO-RESERVE-/231189836154?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item35d3fcf17a

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by KobeeDog on 03/29/14 at 21:00:51

That's what I thought. Thanks for the info.

The CDP sounds remarkably good. Tons of tone... smooth... engaging and musical

My previous Jolida came with the crappy stock Chinese glass. I swapped in a pair of matched JJ 12AX7 and the sound difference was actually stunning. And I'm not even a huge fan of JJ tubes!

I haven't tried 5751 tubes in it yet, but I've read that they are a good choice for this CDP.

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by 4krow on 04/01/14 at 01:56:31

The Cayin that I have still has Tele-funkin tubes. I hope that they last forever, as they worked perfectly in this system. I liked the Cayin to begin with, but the tubes are an added bonus.

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by 4krow on 05/08/14 at 04:02:14

Well, the Cayin kicked the bucket. Pretty good run for 12 years, and it was used when I bought it. I am seriously gonna buy a Emotiva erc3 tomm.

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by KobeeDog on 05/08/14 at 22:19:38

Sorry to hear about the demise of your Cayin. But 12 years ... ! That's pretty impressive. Most things today are made to last a year or so, tops (except for Decware, of course).

I wasn't aware Emotiva still made the ERC. What made you decide on that one?

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by 4krow on 05/08/14 at 23:56:20

KB,

Tough to say why I make some decisions. I did read a few good things about the ERC3. Probably budget has as much to do with it as anything. Maybe a Rega Apollo will pop up that I can afford instead. It sounded most like the Cayin. Funny how some components will give you a warning shot, maybe two, then 'bye bye' for good. I have also heard good things about the 'Ah toeb' player.

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by KobeeDog on 05/09/14 at 00:43:32

Probably a good idea buying a new CDP, with warranty.

I have the feeling a lot of used CDP's on the market are ones that have fired "the warning shot" (ie... skipping or non-reads), and the owners want to unload them.

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by Lon on 05/09/14 at 01:02:24

KobeeDog wrote on 05/09/14 at 00:43:32:

Well, I actually know a few people who sold theirs recently because they have switched to those silly new-fangled digital files. :)

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by KobeeDog on 05/09/14 at 01:13:14

There's always that too.

I actually went the other direction... I had a pretty nice PC/DAC setup, but I went back to spinning discs.

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by Lon on 05/09/14 at 01:26:31

I just cut out the middle part of that cycle. :)

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by 4krow on 05/10/14 at 23:41:09

Pulled the trigger on the ERC3 from Emotiva. If I am not totally impressed, then back it goes.

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by KobeeDog on 05/11/14 at 01:50:26

Be interested to hear your thoughts on it.

I had the XDA-1 a couple years back, and it was actually pretty good.

http://audioreview.ca/default.aspx?pagename=review&reviewID=3924

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by 4krow on 05/13/14 at 02:57:27

Kobee,

To do over again, I would be tempted to just get the dac, as it has inputs that can be used with computers. Swing and a miss. I am still anxious to get this thing. And I have even considered using my old CD players dac for just such a purpose. I have always really liked the sound that comes from it's analog output.

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by 4krow on 05/17/14 at 01:02:22

Got the Emotiva ERC3 player today. Haven't much listening yet. What I have noticed right away is that I am hearing a separation of background details that were previously all mixed up. I can pick out small details in the background that make the music even more interesting. More to follow.

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by KobeeDog on 05/17/14 at 01:18:43

That's good to hear!

I'm not surprised to hear it sounds good. I believe it uses the same DAC chip as the 2000 dollar Cambridge Audio 840C, which is no slouch.

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by 4krow on 05/17/14 at 03:13:47

One thing that is easy to appreciate right off is the build quality. Even the remote is solid aluminum, and makes easy sense to use. If it turns out to sound as good as it's built, then it is a winner for sure.

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by Tripwr1964 on 03/28/15 at 19:43:47

not a tube cd... i really like my toshiba sd9200. you can still find them very nice for $200. i run mine as a transport to a bifrost uber. i've been working on getting my analog side to sound better and haven't accomplish it yet...

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by Core32 on 04/14/15 at 15:20:45

Seems Steve tried to give you an answer this week: ;)

https://www.decware.com/newsite/ZCD.htm

Title: Re: CD Player Advice
Post by 4krow on 08/10/15 at 06:56:22

Wow, I missed this post, butnow that read it, I'm fully impressed with ZEN player. The ONLY problem that I would have had was price. I can see that it is very well worth it, I just don't have the bux...
Now that I have had the Emotiva ERC3 player some time, it was the best choice for a $500 player.