Valve cd players

[aversaurus]

Did anyone buy a valve cd player?.
I like the valve sound but it seems the cd players were just a gimmick.
What do you think?

 

[plastic penguin]

Mmm... not a gimmick. They are produced for those who crave valves.

IMO valves are a pain. They have limited lifespan, expel a lot of heat; valves can be upgraded but the expense of upgraded valves outweighs the cost of the CD player.

Not for me.

 

[nopiano]

I never did, but I think they had a phase because of the ‘two wrongs make a right’ school of Hifi. Glaring and harsh digital remasters smoothed out by lots of distortion from a valve or three. Perfect sound forever!!

There was until recently a valued Luxman CD in a wooden box. I can’t recall many others latterly, though McIntosh probably makes one.

 

[Al ears]

Most people who use CD as main source of music are unlikely to spend what is required to purchase a valve CD player.

 

[plastic penguin]

I never did, but I think they had a phase because of the ‘two wrongs make a right’ school of Hifi. Glaring and harsh digital remasters smoothed out by lots of distortion from a valve or three. Perfect sound forever!!

There was until recently a valued Luxman CD in a wooded box. I can’t recall many others latterly, though McIntosh probably makes one.

Could be wrong but seem to remember Vincent made a valve CDP.

 

[Al ears]

Could be wrong but seem to remember Vincent made a valve CDP.

They along with Rega, Luxman, Lector et al made / make valve CD players but they all seem to be expensive

 

[plastic penguin]

They along with Rega, Luxman, Lector et al made / make valve CD players but they all seem to be expensive

Wow, didn't know Rega made any valve stuff.

I know a few years ago the valve brigade had 'gushed' over Vincent valve amps and CDPs.

As you say, Al, too expensive not the most practical.

 

[Al ears]

Wow, didn't know Rega made any valve stuff.

I know a few years ago the valve brigade had 'gushed' over Vincent valve amps and CDPs.

As you say, Al, too expensive not the most practical.

Rega made a valve Isis CDP, I hate to think what it cost.....

 

[SR-91]

Rega made a valve Isis CDP, I hate to think what it cost.....

Rega ISIS VALVE CD player and DAC

Rega's now legendary head electronics engineer Terry Bateman spent 10 years researching the concept of a CD player using valves in the output amplifier. Valves have been widely used in musical instrument and recording amplification from the 1950's to the present day, therefore it made great...

www.analogueseduction.net

 

[Al ears]

8K !

Thanks,..... That's what I mean.
Makes me want to stick with vinyl......

 

[plastic penguin]

Rega made a valve Isis CDP, I hate to think what it cost.....

8k for a CDP is nuts, certainly explains why there's relative few made.

 

[Al ears]

8k for a CDP is nuts, certainly explains why there's relative few made.

Agree, especially when the Luxman D-380 is only £4300...

 

[plastic penguin]

Agree, especially when the Luxman D-380 is only £4300...

Well, that's a bargain....😋

 

[plastic penguin]

The problem I have with valve CDPs, is, like all valves, produce a shed load of heat, yet nearly all CDPs have enclosed cases. That must kill the valves much quicker than having the sticky up designs.

 

[TrevC]

Did anyone buy a valve cd player?.
I like the valve sound but it seems the cd players were just a gimmick.
What do you think?

Adding a valve to a CD player is pointless and just a gimmick.

 

[Al ears]

Adding a valve to a CD player is pointless and just a gimmick.

apparently not....
They are used in the ouput stages to 'tune ' the sound.
They are gimmicks only in the same way that DAC filters are.

 

[SR-91]

apparently not....
They are used in the ouput stages to 'tune ' the sound.
They are gimmicks only in the same way that DAC filters are.

"Produces an exquisite warm, full sound stage"...

Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista CD Player

A Nu-Vista line CD Player With Reference Level Performance.

www.henleyaudio.co.uk

 

[plastic penguin]

Partly agree with @TrevC in that they are pointless. However, they are not a gimmick. The makers clearly believe they are better than traditional SS players, but the practicalities don't stack up.

 

[Al ears]

Partly agree with @TrevC in that they are pointless. However, they are not a gimmick. The makers clearly believe they are better than traditional SS players, but the practicalities don't stack up.

i think we may agree that valves are pfaff but there are those that simply will not have anything else.
It's a bit like digging an LP out to play as opposed to streaming I guess.

 

[plastic penguin]

i think we may agree that valves are pfaff but there are those that simply will not have anything else.
It's a bit like digging an LP out to play as opposed to streaming I guess.

Agreed. Ultimately it's a limited market, and it's limited for a good reason.

 

[skinnypuppy71]

I've love my prima luna valve amp, when I listen to music, I never need to switch on the heating.🤣🤣

 

[plastic penguin]

I've love my prima luna valve amp, when I listen to music, I never need to switch on the heating.🤣🤣

Understand valve amps as all the valves are above the casing, don't understand hybrid amps such as Croft that have the valves boxed. That must lessen the lifespan of the valves.

Valve CDPs are complete no no for me.

 

[skinnypuppy71]

I doubt I'd go out of my way for a valve based cd player either, I know prima luna do a dac with valves, again it doesn't really interest me, it just commands too much rack space for it's worth.

 

[nopiano]

Agree, especially when the Luxman D-380 is only £4300...

Yes, that was the one. I’d seen a used one recently. It’s finish looks stunning, but inside the transport is the same as the budget Marantz CD600x series, so it’s nothing special aside from the valve addition and the swish looks.

D-380 | DIGITAL PLAYERS | PRODUCTS | LUXMAN | Seeking higher sound quality

www.luxman.com

 

[SR-91]

Yes, that was the one. I’d seen a used one recently. It’s finigh looks stunning, but inside the transport is the same as the budget Marantz CD600x series, so it’s nothing special aside from the valve addition and the swish looks.

D-380 | DIGITAL PLAYERS | PRODUCTS | LUXMAN | Seeking higher sound quality

www.luxman.com

Just like the Musical Fidelity Nu Vista 800 CD player which looks empty !

Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista CD - Audio Venue

The Nu-Vista CD is the perfect match for the highly acclaimed Nu-Vista 800 and Nu-Vista 600 integrated amplifiers.

www.audiovenue.uk