I would be concerned with pairing too many tube components together with the resultant sound being a little too soft. For under a grand, I would be looking at either the Music Hall MMF CD 25 ($540) or the Rega Apollo ($1000 ... though I might wait for the next production run as Rega has been working out some transport quirks with this new model).
I had used the Music Hall initially with the Prima Luna 2 (before giving the MH to my brother) and was very impressed with how the two sounded together ... excellent overall musical tone and clarity. I have been using a SONY SCD 555ES SACD player (which I have had for 5 years) with the Prologue Two and while it sounds very good, it's not the MH ... though this is also my SACD system. I have wanted a Rega for awhile now and when the SONY goes, the Apollo will be the route that I will go.
With my Prima Luna 5, I am using a Musical Fidelity A3.2 (in the guise of a CD PRE 24). Those two sound positively elegant and refined together. Upscale Audio has some MF A3.2 open stock around for about a grand. While you're ordering your Prima Luna, speak to Kevin about the MF.
Regards, Rich
I had used the Music Hall initially with the Prima Luna 2 (before giving the MH to my brother) and was very impressed with how the two sounded together ... excellent overall musical tone and clarity. I have been using a SONY SCD 555ES SACD player (which I have had for 5 years) with the Prologue Two and while it sounds very good, it's not the MH ... though this is also my SACD system. I have wanted a Rega for awhile now and when the SONY goes, the Apollo will be the route that I will go.
With my Prima Luna 5, I am using a Musical Fidelity A3.2 (in the guise of a CD PRE 24). Those two sound positively elegant and refined together. Upscale Audio has some MF A3.2 open stock around for about a grand. While you're ordering your Prima Luna, speak to Kevin about the MF.
Regards, Rich