I don't know the others, but when I heard the AN 3.1x Balanced my search for DAC technology stopped. It's hard to describe the difference, but Audio Note's filterless, tube/transformer coupled DACs made everything else I'd listened to until then sound sterile, uninvolving and lifeless. They have tremendous presence and soul, and give music a sense of life that for me is totally addictive. There are obviously players that others prefer for the price, but there seems to be a certain class of listeners for whom the AN approach is the most musically satisfying.
Comparison of Tube Output CD Players
I wonder if anyone has had an opportunity to listen to, and evaluate, the following relatively comparatively priced CD players which all incorporate tube output stages:-
Jolida JD-100A
Audio Aero Prima
Unico CD
Audio Note 3.1x
The Jolida 100A is also available with quite a number of mods by the "Parts Connexion", by "Underwood HiFi", and by Verastarr which are apparently "factory approved" since the original warranty is maintained. If anyone could
comment about these mods I would be very grateful.
Jolida JD-100A
Audio Aero Prima
Unico CD
Audio Note 3.1x
The Jolida 100A is also available with quite a number of mods by the "Parts Connexion", by "Underwood HiFi", and by Verastarr which are apparently "factory approved" since the original warranty is maintained. If anyone could
comment about these mods I would be very grateful.