Cheap(er) alternative to Audio Note CD player?

[jpa66]

Hi all.

Does anyone have any opinions on a CD player that has the general sound of the AN cdp's, only is (much) cheaper? It should have tubes and must be NOS.

I really like the sound of the AN players, but I could never ( and still can't ) bring myself to shell out the dough for one of them (I'd rather spend it in other ways).

Thanks,
JP

 

[Billfort]

What is your budget?

I too love the sound of the AudioNote players but have found a similar sound in the more affordable AudioNote Kits Dac2.1. I originally fed this DAC with a good CD player as transport (a Sony SCD777-ES) but recently started streaming wav and FLAC of up to 24/96 to it via a USB/SPDIF converter from a laptop running JRiver. It sounds fantastic used in this way and having this as an option sure makes it a lot more versatile than a cd-only player.

 

[jpa66]

What is your budget?

I too love the sound of the AudioNote players but have found a similar sound in the more affordable AudioNote Kits Dac2.1. I originally fed this DAC with a good CD player as transport (a Sony SCD777-ES) but recently started streaming wav and FLAC of up to 24/96 to it via a USB/SPDIF converter from a laptop running JRiver. It sounds fantastic used in this way and having this as an option sure makes it a lot more versatile than a cd-only player.

Well, I spent around 500 USD on my current cd player ( a Cambridge Audio something-or-other ) around ten years ago. It's an OK player, but I'd like something better. Right now, I'd say I'd like to spend less than a grand ( and preferably much less, as I'd have to justify the cost to my better half who feels that a couple hundred bucks is a lot for equipment ).

I actually have thought about the AN kits in the past, but I'm apprehensive about soldering (despite the fact that I'm relatively handy, can build models, and paint miniatures in my spare time, I'm not very comfortable soldering ). And by now I'm sure that they have shot up in price.