Vincent Audio has introduced a high-performance HDCD CD Player that offers CD processing with high-end vacuum tubes.

The Vincent CD-S8 plays both High Definition Compatible Digital (HDCD) encoded discs and conventional CDs. It features what the company calls a premium CD transport, state-of-the-art digital processing, and a fully isolated vacuum tube analog output stage with the option of professional-grade XLR balanced analog connections.

The heart of the digital section is a Philips VAM1250 CD transport. The 24-bit digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is Texas Instrument's PM1792 with a 192 kHz sampling rate.

The analog output stage of the CD-S8 is a full vacuum tube section rather than a hybrid design. It uses a Chinese 12AX7 and two Russian 6922 dual triode tubes, as well as premium WIMA and Solen capacitors. This circuitry is housed in a physically separated section of the chassis and shielded from both the digital and high-voltage power supply circuits. This no-compromise approach keeps noise out of the signal chain and helps maintain signal purity.

The vacuum tube stage output is via rear-panel XLR and RCA output jacks for connection to a high-end two-channel preamplifier and amplifier. The player has a dedicated headphone stage with a separate volume control. There are also optical and coaxial digital outputs that allow the CD-S8 to also be used as a source for an AV processor- or receiver-based system. Two 12-VDC trigger inputs aid system integration, and the player can be operated using front-panel controls or the included aluminum remote control.

The Vincent CD-S8 HDCD Player is now available in silver or black finish, with a suggested retail price of $3,295.