I think leaving it on will wear out the tubes, but there are usually only one or two and they are often 12AX7 'preamp' type tubes that are cheap and last forever anyway. If your Sony is still mechanically fine, go for a dac, and I think I personally would stop right here at audiogon and wait for something that caught my eye. No need paying new, retail prices for dacs...there are tons of them around and you can pick your price point (and therefore, to some extent, age of equipment). Good luck!
older dacs
I have decided to go with a dac rather than buy a new cd player. I feel the transport on my sony dvp s-7700 is still good.
I do have a question however. Has the technology changed that much in dacs where it warrants buying new. Am I better off to buy something that is a few years old for $500 or buy something new for $500. The one that is $500 used probably cost over $1000 new at one time. Not that price always relates to performance.
Also what are your thoughts on tubed dacs. The rest of my gear is SS and I like to leave it on. Will leaving a tubed dac on just put unnecessary wear on tubes.
Let me know
I do have a question however. Has the technology changed that much in dacs where it warrants buying new. Am I better off to buy something that is a few years old for $500 or buy something new for $500. The one that is $500 used probably cost over $1000 new at one time. Not that price always relates to performance.
Also what are your thoughts on tubed dacs. The rest of my gear is SS and I like to leave it on. Will leaving a tubed dac on just put unnecessary wear on tubes.
Let me know