CD has laid back and uninvolving sound

Eee3: I have used various interconnects and power cords (also expensive ones) but it is not a cable problem. This problem is more complex and I'm afraid cables could not solve this. Shadorne: that is interesting to have both the audiophile vinyl and CD in one package. I listened to Händels Messiah this afternoon (René Jacobs, Harmonia Mundi CD) and I found the midrange not so fleshed out and overall sound also less warm than vinyl. To me it is not only a matter of "bad" mastering but this type of sound is inherent to CD reproduction. Of course you can warm the sound up with tubes but then you would only change the cosmetics.

Chris

Mapman: MBL 1621 transport - Accustic Arts Tube DAC - Accuphase C-290V preamplifier (with dedicated AD-290V phono unit) - JMF Audio HQS7001B power amplifiers (mono's) - Soundlab A-1 fullrange electrostatics. Turntable: Acoustic Solid with Fidelity Research FR-66S tonearm and Ortofon SPU 85 Anniversary cartridge.
I'll try the JMF Audio DXC2.2 D/A converter in the near future.

Chris

Thanks for referring me to the Stereophile article Rodman. It is certainly true: digital bass is not the same as analog bass. Analog bass is more upbeat and full/warm sounding.

Hamburg: I think I don't want to try other tubes for the AA Tube DAC --> I don't think other tubes would change the sound alot. If other tubes would give a different sound then I'm afraid you are busy screwing up the tonal balance.

Chris

Hi Oregon, I already have a decent vinyl playback system. That's why I'm starting this topic at Audiogon.

Chris

The Shun Mook Diamond Resonators don't work with the AA Tube DAC! --> the sound became somewhat hard in the upper midrange, like as if there is some ringing/resonance. Which feet should I use now? Graphite blocks?

Chris

TJ, with all due respect, I think the tube issue with the AA Tube DAC is an important point that needs to be addressed, however you shouldn't overemphasize it either. To be honest, I'm not going to change any tube --> too much hassle for me. I like a unit that is just "plug and play" and not one that has to be tweaked first before it sounds good. As mentioned ealier, I'm gonna try the JMF Audio DXC2.2 DAC soon and I will report the findings.
Btw, the DXC2.2 DAC is similar to the Rey Audio DAC from Japan.

Chris

TJ, I'll try the NOS tube as you described. Are original Mullard long plates also good (musical) tubes for AA Tube DAC? As far as my knowledge goes the tubes in the AA Tube DAC are NOT in the signal path but are localized in the digital-to-analog conversion section. So, why do they have such a profound effect on sound?
Btw, my clamp is the standard clamp that goes with the 1621A and I have put three Shun Mook Giant Diamond Resonators under the AA Tube DAC.

Chris

Thanks for the recommendation Roy. Are you also familiar with Herbie Tenderfeet?
Wavetrader: I have a decent transport, which is the MBL 1621. I suppose Accustic Arts knows about the coupling caps thing. Power cord is from DCCA Audio. So I'm afraid there is little left to be changed. Maybe the tube, which is residing insinde the D/A-converter (according to TJ this should give a significant improvement).

Chris