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Tube CDP vs CDP/DAC Combo

Like many others on the Gon, I'm going back and forth on CDPs. I've narrowed my search to the AH! Njoe 4000, and the Cambrige Audio 640 as transport to a Conrad Johnson D/A3 DAC that I bought recently. Music Hall 100 and the Rotel 1072 round out the list. My preamp is a tubed CJ12L. Any observations on the AH! Can there be too much tube in a system? Conversely, given the age of the CJ DAC, would I be underutilizing the 640. Can't find much info on the DAC guts. But I thought that the 640 may be a good pairing with the DAC due to its extremely low jitter design. I guess the Music Hall could be paired with the DAC also. Same questions as 640. ANy insights would be appreciated. Dave
italian

Showing 1 response by clio09

clio09
3,364 posts
 
There can be too much of the tube sound in a system, but the only way you're going to know is to try an in home test and hear it for yourself.

As for your other quandry, you can upgrade the DAC with an Audio Mirrod D1 ($500 on Audiogon) and use the 640, MH, or Rotel with it. You may even consider the AH!, but it might be overkill. I considered the Jolida JD-100 with the Audio Mirror so I could switch between tube and solid state. Just a thought...
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