Help me choose my tube amplifier

[komoyuki]

I and my wife just bought a new condo last week and we moving around November first. The good part is now I will have a dedicated room for my stereo system. I have written to Rachel already but I wanted to open a thread here and see if there is any opinion or suggestion.
My current setup is a Jung son JA88 (09) SS amplifier and source is Consonance D-Linear 7-8 combo + RBS-1 speaker. I want to have tube in the chain so there are actually some options out there. Budget is not limited but I want stay close to 2K$ amp. I also want had a Redbook cd player. Why? Well, simply because I want to put a cd, and enjoy it from track 1 to the end. Yes I know I can do it via the D-Linear DAC and interface but for an unknown reason, there are some things I do not recognize/feels like playing a cd, anyway.

1- W-30, CD-327A
2- S300MK, CD-327A, Tubedac-11
3- RITA 340 – CD-327A – tubesdac-11

Take note all amplifier will be fully loaded with Treasure tubes + Psvane caps. I think those 3 could all be excellent setup. Ally so but 3 setups cost approximately the same, few dollars only so not a big deal.
Mostly am listing to rock music, electronic, some jazz. Room will be 12x14, 8’celling so not a big room, just fine.
So here we go, look forward for options and suggestion.

Phil.
Oh and I want a DAC with USB connection because I still want be able to link my laptop and use JRiver media player to simply discover new music, then I buy those I do like 

 

[Catcher10]

Option #3 looks very interesting to me.......I wish I could get a Rita 340, very musical looking pc for sure. That with the TubeDAC11 has to be a sweet sound combination. I listen to progressive rock and jazz, and the DAC11 loves both those genres.

May I make a suggestion...try out the Zune software and especially the Zune Marketplace to discover new music. This by the way will become Xbox Music later this year, but I have a 90-95% success rate in finding obscure music on Zune.
For $10-$15USD per month you can download all you want, then go buy the CDs if you really like them.
But I tell you the DAC11 makes the downloaded files sound like redbook CDs......I have done several A/B tests and I am very pleased.

Have fun shopping!

 

[komoyuki]

I mainly discover music with iTunes via iTunes store. You can actually run about 1.25mins of every song and they have a very large music selection (Even very underground band). They also suggest you many others artist, a kind of you may like...

Thanks for your suggestion about the amplifier. I have include indeed the RITA 340, but i do not know if i will go that route always telling me there's a 880S I could get.

 

[Catcher10]

Well for $10 per month you can download full albums all you want......Keep them as long as you have a subscription and play then thru your computer or external hard drive to your system, not just 1min worth.
Zune also has Related artists section, Influenced by section, mix play section and suggested artists based on your listening habits...this is how I find tons of new artists. The new Xbox Music is suppose to have 30 million song catalog eventually....

Anyhow, have fun in your journey!

 

[guystp]

hmmm, I hear RITA calling, Ian was telling me about a musician guy he knows who actually preferred 340 to the 880s. You'd have to ask Ian directly about why. I know some people prefer the sound of EL34's over KT88's, one guy in particular said he felt the 34's were more refined and detailed. I know when I had my W-30 with the EL-34's it was very nice, just that the KT88's have more punch and oomph. I think you can't go wrong with either the W-30 or Rita340. If it were my decision I think I would go RITA route.Just my opinion.

 

[Sound Dragon]

Wow, congrats on the new place!!!!! as for Amps, I would recommend to get the RITA.....880s! but that's just from personal taste. I could not however endorse the 327 as it does not play SACD's and that is a deal breaker for me personally. would the Tube dac replace your opera DAC?

 

[komoyuki]

Hey guys, i have talk with Rachel and she has been very kind and helpful. For the moment, i will keep the combo Consonance D-7/8. That is the futur like Rachel said and i already got the best from Opera so. Now i wanted to replace my JA88D amp but i will be patient and save my money for "higher" amplification (Ref 5.5 MKII - S200MK/S845MK, those kind of amp, see what i mean).
So i will definitly keep you guys updated and post some pics of the new place

 

[komoyuki]

Oh and here a respond from Rachel about the CD-327A :

The CD327A is now out of stock and we have decided not to re-stock it anymore considering the shrinking demand for CD players and popularity of DAC's nowadays.

For when an "high end" GF dac ?

 

[GrantFidelity]

Oh and here a respond from Rachel about the CD-327A :

For when an "high end" GF dac ?

Grant Fidelity works with various high end manufacturers from China - such as Yulong and Opera-Consonance. They both offer high end DAC's already. Grant Fidelity stands for providing high quality Chinese hi-fi at great price along with top service. No matter what brand a DAC is, if Grant Fidelity carries, it is of the same value for money as if under Grant Fidelity private label.

We appreciate everyone's support of Grant Fidelity brand - keep in mind that Grant Fidelity is also a brand for service, not just products; and Grant Fidelity services are on every product we sell

Best,
Rachel @ Grant Fidelity

 

[Catcher10]

I don't think any of us GF equipment users deny that your service is pretty much the standard all others should strive for.........Before and After the sale.

 

[Wolfbane]

I own, or have owned two pieces of the equipment listed in the OP's point 3.

"3- RITA 340 – CD-327A – tubesdac-11"

The GF 327A CDP and the DAC-11 both are/were a great deal for the money and sounded great. I've heard the 340 amp and would choose that amp over the other two. The EL-34 is a good musical tube and readily available both new and NOS.

WRT Opera equipment; I own their 211 tube based monoblocks and matching pre-amp. Nothing Opera makes that I've heard didn't sound great!

Wb