the preamplifier built in the ayon cd5 is great?

Wig, is there a discussion of this that you can point me to? I would think that there would be plenty of gain, more than needed in most applications, with the CD-5. Do you mean that people are winding out the level to the "Max" setting? If so, I would fear they are listening at levels far too high, and run the danger of harming their hearing.

In my use of the CD-5, both during the review with the quite inefficient Kingsound King speakers at about 83dB and afterward, I have not had to push the output level of the player. I do not listen at "live" or "concert" levels, i.e. about 100+dB. I do not consider where I do much listening, at about 88-90dB to be low volume. It's definitely moderate moving toward loud. So, I'm curious about the context of comments that the CD-5 doesn't have the gain for moderate levels. I certainly would not agree with that.

In fact, with the VAC Signature Preamplifier MkII I had too much gain; the combo ran so "juiced" that I had to keep the CD-5 on the low Gain setting (4V) and even then could not take the volume control past about 10 O'clock on the VAC pre. So I'm not sure where this complaint of not enough gain is surfacing.

Is it possible the comment is being made in the context of use of very low power SET amps with the CD-5, maybe with some seriously inefficient speakers? Perhaps with a mismatch between amp and speaker this could come into play, but other than that scenario I would have difficulty seeing someone not getting enough level control from the player. But that might be a problem with an outboard preamp as well; I wouldn't judge the player to have an issue if a system is set up poorly. Again, with the Gain switch on the back of the unit I would think that the CD-5 would have plenty of output. But I'm open to hearing what others are experiencing.

World of difference in the pre of the CD-5 vs. the CD-2. The pre in the CD-5 makes for a much more agreeable match with many amps, as it should for the price.

Still, it's worth trying another preamp as well, as there are SO many potential sounds and results that may please the ear that you may hit upon a combination that is magical to you. In my use of the CD-5 with most preamps the benefits gained were offset by the clarity and precision lost through the additional component and cabling.

Afc, thanks for the comments and complement. I appreciate the added info!

Perhaps the info I learned from my time writing up the Cambridge Audio Azur 840C applies. When I worked with that pre I was surprised that at times I had to push it's vol. control to about 85% of total output. That concerned me, but as I discussed with the situation with Cambridge they reassured me about it. The volume control was truly linear. A typical one is not, and you will get the majority of increase "front loaded", but as you continue to elevate it the amount of rise in level tails off.

Conversely, with the Cambridge, even though you have to take 85% of the volume control to reach the theoretical same point, as you increase from there, the increases are quite dramatic and the unit actually has more than enough left in it for elevated listening levels. I was told that one can push it to Max output and won't harm it one bit. We are so used to "front-loaded" attenuators that it scares us when we use a linear level control, as though something is horribly wrong.

Though I did not ask the same question regarding the Ayon player I suspect it might operate similarly. To need 75% of the level output might not be a big deal if the unit ramps up in a linear fashion. The next 5-10 digital steps may blow the lid off the level. I am no longer concerned about being within 15 digital steps from "Max" volume with the CD-5 for my listening.

Do you find a fair bit of difference in level needed for the Zu versus the Aliante? The monitor I can see being a bit underpowered at nominal 6 Ohms, 88 dB, and being pushed by 30wpc. I can definitely see why the CD-5 would need its level taken to 75% of capacity. I have also needed this type of level when using the Kingsound King ESLs, which are very inefficient. But when I put the 4 Ohm, 95 or so dB Legacy Focus SE in to the system the CD-5 only needs to be taken to about halfway on the level. Profound difference.

I'm not surprised at all about the resultant "...better soundstage and imaging" experience with the CD-5 and the Ear. I have also experienced the "exploded" soundstage and hyper-detail with the CD-5 into the VAC Signature Preamplifier MkII, and it's a very intriguing, captivating sound. I can see why some would prefer it over the "direct to amp" setup.

I find the amp is important in the attempt to use the CD-5 direct. I might not be satisfied with the CD-5 into a lower powered SET amp, even with the 8v output from the CD-5. I have to have my big power, minimum 200wpc to get the dynamics I want, at least with larger, multi-driver full range speakers and panels. :)

Afc, the EAR components are also very good sonically, from what I have heard at shows. I have not compared them in my room.

Here are some articles which discuss basic differences between SS and Tube amps:

http://www.soundstage.com/gettingtechnical/gettingtechnical200405.htm

The Second site has a lot to do with guitar amps,etc. but I found the answer to #2 to be clear:

http://aga.rru.com/FAQs/technical.html#pwrvsvol

Regarding the heat from tubes, I would not put the CD-5 into a closed shelving unit, but it does not throw so much heat that a room would be adversely influenced.