Based on the auditions that I made and the reviews that I read, it seems that a digital player with a tube output stage is increasing its soundstage and solidifying its sonic image, aside from adding the air and smoothness signatures characteristic to the vacuum tubes.
I just bought my airline tix to HE2006, so I know <I>I'm</I> going to be there. I hope you will, too—because it;ll be a lot more fun if somebody else is there, too.
Wouldn't you just know it. As soon as I decide on a formal regime of measurements to accompany Stereophile's loudspeaker reviews—see Vol.12 No.10, October 1989, p.166—along comes some hot new technology that changes everything. Robert Harley reported in last month's "Industry Update" column how impressed he and I were with the new MLSSA measurement system from DRA Laboratories.
Why not make it a requirement that in order to post you must register. Most if not all other sites have this requirement.