Tube or solid state CD player

[Jswallac]

I am putting together a 2 channel system separate from my HT setup. I will be using Meadowlark Kestral2 speakers driven my a solid state HK 6650 integrated amp. Not sure on the source yet. I am considering the Ah Tjoeb Model CD 4000 with upscaling. Stereophile had a pretty nice article on this player. It is basically a modified Marantz player, but uses tubes. Another option is the Philips DVD963SA. While I do care about price, I am willing to pay the extra for the Ah Tjoeb ($1,200 vs $500 list for the Philips) if it is truly a better sounding unit. Both have upsampling (I assume that does improve Redbook). Since it is only for audio, I do not care about the video capabilities of the Philips DVD player. I do like the SACD capability, however. So which would any of you choose? Any opinions you share will be appreciated.

 

[jeffsg4mac]

Tubes and a CD player hmmm, Tubes have been around since when, the 1920's. Any magazine that would recommend a tube anything for home audio can not be taken seriously at all, Stereophool is one of them. Tubes are for antique radios and nothing more. Get the Philips or better yet a Denon or one of the Yammy players. Stay away from tubes unless they contain toothpaste. Tubes might sound good with guitar amps and such but even that is being done in the digital realm now.