Latest update:I found the culprit that was adding that smidgen of harshness - a softly crackling tube in my amp.After replacing it all was well but....It still was a little flat sounding after 50 hours.Maybe better cabling?I bought a pair of Wire World Eclipse 8 ics and bingo!Much better.So much better I ordered another pair of ics and 4 Eclipse 7 power cords.The first cord went on the Tubadour and it was 'just what the doctor ordered'.Apparently I have some noise issues I was unaware of.The entire presentation just opened up and so much of the inner detail and harmonics that are unique to individual instruments appeared.Just so natural and organic.On my short list was Wire World,Triode Wire Labs,and Less Loss,which all have effective noise filtering.I've tried power conditioners in the past that had no effect,but these cables are very effective.I will add one at a time and see if I end up with a full loom of the same brand for the first time ever.
Anyways,back to the Tubadour.It's sounding fantastic now.It needs clean power and good shielded cables to perform it's best.It's way more sensitive to cabling then my CDP was.I'll attempt to write a review in a few weeks when I get the wire situation finalized.
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I read where Vincent has released a tubed DAK, a time least in the U.K., I don’t see it available in the States yet
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@mesch good to know I'm not just talking to myself,lol.I'm always bummed when someone promises an update and the thread just ends abruptly.
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Thanks for the continued feedback. I remain interested int the Tubadour, not sure when I will pull the trigger. |
After the 25 hour mark the Tubadour continues to change as it breaks in.So it seems 20 hours is not an accurate time frame.The treble has become a little harsh,but I'm betting that clears up over the next few days.Other than that the overall sound is open,dynamic,and organic.Today's high point was playing Chris Thomas King recorded live at the Kalamazoo Blues Festival.I was at that particular festival right up front and center.Just perfect:-)
I'll post again after 50 hours for any who are interested.
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After the ten hour mark I'm hearing some changes.I've been letting it play a few hours at a time at low levels but not really listening since my daughter is here visiting for a few days.Today she wanted to hear some ShineDown and some Jack White so I cranked it up a bit.The 'dense tubeyness' has dissipated and it's cleaner and more balanced.Electric guitar was amazing,the vocal nuances were clearer,just an overall more natural sound.Now I'm craving some BB King cranked UP.I'll post an update after the 20 hr mark when most of the break in is supposed be accomplished.
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I got the upgraded caps,an extra $500.It took exactly two weeks from ordering to delivery day.Right now as it's breaking in the presentation is 'dense and tubey' if that makes sense.At the same time there is plenty of detail and nuance.One song that stood out to me last night was Mistress of Storms -Bruce Cockburn guitar,Gary Burton vibraphone.The vibes sounded great on my Vincent CDP,but now I can almost see Gary playing back and forth on the keys.It became holographic.I could hear Bruce's fingers moving on the strings and hear the wood,sustains,damping.All of this while remaining warm and 'dense'.I think break in will be a pleasant experience rather than 'OMG what have I done '.Enough fan boy blathering:-)I'll add more to this thread as things evolve for anyone interested.
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Congrats on your purchase! I likely will also purchase the Tubadour. Did you buy the basic model or upgraded one? |
The Audio Mirror Tubadour arrived today.It's only been playing for a couple of hours.What can I say except I'm extremely happy with it.Warm,organic,but so much detail.My favorite music all sounds like new and better versions.
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The Sparkler looks pretty cool,thanks for the link.
I went with a Furutech digital cable reasoning it would get the signal from the transport to the dac cleanly without a 'flavor'.It definitely got rid of the digital glare.After changing some tubes around and trying several isolation tweaks the little Parasound dac sounds very very good with simple music.It can't handle massed instruments or even vocals.Then it becomes a congested mess.But it really sounds fantastic with one or two vocalists and two or three acoustic or electric instruments.Beautiful timbre,micro and macro detail,etc.If that's the only type of music I listened to I would be thrilled with this little dac.
I've enjoyed playing around with it but it's not the one for me.Next up is going to be a Tubadour lll.I'm waiting for Vlad to get back with me about upgrade pricing.
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An excellent sounding one box solution is the Sparkler Audio S503 Spiral CD player. I’ve had mine for about 6 months and love how natural it sounds. Sparkler is a company formed by the top engineer for 47 Labs. The great Phillips TDA 1543 NOS 16 bit dac chip is used. A minimalist approach that delivers the heart of the music. Check it out... http://www.sparkler-audio.com/portfolio/S503_en.html |
Given what you’re looking for, a tubed NOS DAC would seem to be a great option. If cost is an issue I don’t think you’ll go wrong with the Mhdt Orchid (see recent 6moons review), but if you have a higher budget the Audio Mirror with upgrades looks very interesting too. Both offer trial periods so you can try before you buy, which is huge. My guess is you’ll notice improvements over your Vincent either way. On the digital cable front, I’d recommend trying a $40 Apogee Wyde Eye cable (go balanced if you can) before spending several hundred dollars. I’ve used mine for many years, and it was John Atkinson’s (editor of Stereophile) reference for a while. It’s a neutral yet very natural sounding cable that I think will, in combination with either of the above DACs, do very well in delivering the qualities you’re looking for while saving you some $$$. Heck, not much to lose in trying and you can probably return it through Amazon if you don’t like it. Make sure you give some good hours for burn-in as usual, and definitely pay attention to the direction arrows if/when you install the cable (I installed mine backwards once and it was not good). Hope this helps, and best of luck. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N6XL1XW/ref=twister_B01MUH69P1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1Best of luck. |
Cerious is one I'm thinking about.I do like their ics.Wireworld gold sounds interesting too.
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Well the amp has a new fuse and is up and running again.The Parasound is still sounding good,does everything right except it is still missing that 'organic touch/flavor' that the Vincent CDP presented so nicely.I think if I found a decent digital cable that might tip the scales in that direction.Any suggestions for a good coax cable around $300+/- ?
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^^^Cambridge not Benchmark.Too late to edit:(
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Never heard of Exogal.Yet another to investigate!
So I got the new components up and running and promptly blew the amp fuses because I'm a moron and didn't follow the correct sequence.I have some on order for next week.Anyway, using the MZ2 as an integrated this combo doesn't sound half bad.With the MZ2's mighty one watt of power the sound is silky with plenty of detail and nuance.Very quiet with no buzz or hum.Excellent separation and layering too.The only thing missing is the 3D palpability.When the amp is back in the system hopefully that will be restored.If not, thanks to you guys for pointing out some other options to audition:)
The Benchmark transport is staying for sure,it operates smoothly and quickly.The cheap cable is going back(audioquest forest)GRAINY!Right now a Siltech ic is doing the job.
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If you can swing it, I'd look for a used Exogal. Provides the kind of sound signature you're looking for. |
I agree with jl35 that there are many modest cost DACs that would mate well with the CXC at modest cost. Also providing greater flexibility than a stand alone CD player. Also as a alternative to buying new, there are always available some older well built DACs that may lack the best (or any) USB implementation which can be had at low cost. |
I had great sound with the CXC and the original ZDac...there are many good modest cost DACs out there now...not so many new CD Players being introduced though |
Thanks to all for your suggestions!I've been researching all of them and I'm sure one of them will be a good fit.I really didn't know where to start and now I have several very intriguing options.
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I was looking into the Border Patrol. I believe the tube output is a buffer stage, not an all tube output stage as with the Mirror Audio. If I am wrong in my recollection, I apologize a priori.
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Or what about Border Patrol? A few months ago they were the flavor du jour, but recently nobody mentions them... |
For CD playback I and I owned the CXC I would keep it and look into the Mirror Audio Trubadour III DAC. A NOS DAC having a tube output stage. I don't yet own this DAC but it likely will be my next purchase for my main system. $1500. |
Opportunity here mate. Ditch a new CDP and join the realm of server. Bluesound 2. You will never turn back.
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@hodu thank you for the link!That review describes exactly the sound I'm looking for.There are just so many dacs to choose from nowadays and we can't really try them all:)The parasound hasn't garnered much attention but from what I've managed to dig up it may share some of the same positive qualities with the Denafrip.I'll let you know in a few days.
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I haven't heard the dac yet.The Vincent was tubed so my hope is to put something together that sounds as good or better.Analog like.The simpler the better.We'll see how it goes in a couple of days.
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I've got a Cambridge CXC
Keep the Cambridge CXC it’s a great transport with extremely low jitter, and get hold of a better dac than the Zdac, maybe even one with remote volume control and bypass the manual Transcends one. Cheers George |
Thanks!Both the Marantz and Rega were on my plan B list:)
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+1 on the Marantz SA 8005
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Marantz SA 8005 or Rega Apollo-R.
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