FWIW, My first tube purchase was a tubed CDP (Cal Aria) in the mid 80's. BIG tonal improvement! My next tubes purchase was in a Pre-amp. Even bigger improvement. I upgraded to a Trans - DAC (Tubed combo). Similar tonal balance but with greater resolution. Several years later I purchased my first tube amp. Last year I purchased my first SS CDP since my original SONY 101 just to see what high quality CDP's can sound like w/tubes in the Pre & amp. Pretty good I'd say. Lacking a tad bit of air in the highs, but a very solid and musical sound (Wadia vs BAT).
In retrospect I think, at least for me, the pre-amp was the greatest single improvement and the amp was the second biggest improvement. I don't think one necessarily needs a tubed CDP or DAC any longer for high quality sound.
FWIW - YMMV.
In retrospect I think, at least for me, the pre-amp was the greatest single improvement and the amp was the second biggest improvement. I don't think one necessarily needs a tubed CDP or DAC any longer for high quality sound.
FWIW - YMMV.