A friend has the Ah Tjoeb and it sounds very nice for the buck - smooth and clean. As for changing the tubes, it's not a big deal, and as others mentioned, you may actually want to to get the sound you want (different brands of tubes sound COMPLETELY different). If not tubes. try looking at used Meridians (I have a 506-20) they have a really nice, balanced sound.
"Warm" CD player...on a budget.
I can't take it anymore. My CDs sound way too harsh with my Pioneer DV-343 DVD player serving as a transport and my Denon 5800 serving as the DAC. I need something that sounds warm and smooth, but I don't think I can afford to spend more than $500. I've been eyeing the Cambridge Audio D300SE and D500SE models, but won't really have an opportunity to listen to them prior to purchase due to the lack of a local dealer. I've also heard that an Ah! Toejb player can really sing, but I'm nervous about getting anything that has tubes that might or might not need to be replaced in the future.
Who wants to point me in the path of CD righteousness, keeping the budget in mind?
Who wants to point me in the path of CD righteousness, keeping the budget in mind?