Ah! Njoe Tjoeb 4000 CD player

[Wie Gehts?]

Does anybody on the forum happen to own the subject CDP? I'm considering buying one and would like to ask a few questions. TIA.

[Marc Pool]

I don't own one, but I know Tjoeb has a big cult following.
Maybe you should try and make a post on the forum of the dutch website www.hifi.nl because Tjoeb is a dutch company and I have read a lot of posts about Tjoeb that forum. Most people in the Netherlands understand English so it's should not be a problem if you post in English.

[Wie Gehts?]

Thanks, Marc. It turns out that there's a good deal of discussion regarding this CDP on AudioAsylum, as well.

[Claviusb]

Steve Rochlin's site, Enjoy The Music (http://www.enjoythemusic.com) has a review of that CD player. I think it's in the archives section.

[jligon]

I've got the 4000 if you have any specific questions.

-Jon

[KeithH]

I have an Ah! Njoe Tjoeb 4000 as well. I'm using Siemens 7308 tubes.

[pigmode]

I have one, currently with the Siemens 7308 steel pins, but a pair of Ediwan CV2492/CV53582 are on the way. It's a nice player, although I am saving for a Cary 303/200.

[Dave]

Originally posted by Pigmode
I am saving for a Cary 303/200.

How much for the Cary Pigmode?

Long time no see Styemaster, how ya been?;)

[pigmode]

Originally posted by Dave


How much for the Cary Pigmode?

Long time no see Styemaster, how ya been?;)

Hey Dave,

Been doing great, although I have't had a day off for about nine weeks. Hope things are fine with you. Did you ever get a new cdp or dac?


The Cary is $3000 new. There have been a few changes to my system, so I'll write up a post later on.

[pigmode]

Back OT: Modwright is supposed to be posting his mod offerings for the AH! 4000 tomorrow. There's a good chance I'll be sending mine in. Anyne else thinking about it?

[Dave]

The Cary is $3000 new. There have been a few changes to my system, so I'll write up a post later on.

Where in heck is that jaw dropping UBB smile! That's like $5,000.00 here!

I've sort of caught the sparse postings of you over the last month and a half mentioning your more recent system up-grades. Niiiiiice.;)

[Wie Gehts?]

Thanks to all who responded. I have these questions pertaining to the 4000:

1. I understand that the relay in the OEM player causes an audible "click" when a CD is started, stopped, or paused. How loud is this "click?"

2. Does the 4000 sound better when used in conjunction with a pre-amp? If you use it with a pre, do you set the volume control on the 4000 to max?

3. I have a SS pre and amp. Will the tube output stage of the 4000 result in a significantly "warmer" and less "bright" sound with my SS components?

Thanks again!

[pigmode]

1. I understand that the relay in the OEM player causes an audible "click" when a CD is started, stopped, or paused. How loud is this "click?"

I'm pretty sure that issue has been taken care of. My AH! has a click that is barely audible.

2. Does the 4000 sound better when used in conjunction with a pre-amp? If you use it with a pre, do you set the volume control on the 4000 to max?

The AH! has a digital vol. control that is cheap and needs to be kept at max to avoid sound degradation. When I had my AH! directly connected to the amps, the volume levels were very high, which necessitated turning down its vol. control (not good). Ymmv, depending on the sensitivity of your amp. Also, the AH!s output level can be user adjusted if you know how to solder.


3. I have a SS pre and amp. Will the tube output stage of the 4000 result in a significantly "warmer" and less "bright" sound with my SS components?

Hmm, I can't really say. It kind of depends on the sound of whatever cdp you are comparing it with, don't you think? For instance, My impression was that the AH! has a more forward sound than most Sony players, but at the same time it also has a more lush and musical presentation as well. Remember, the stock JAN Phillips tubes that come with the AH! are a little on the bright side to begin with, but I wouldn't judge the player based on those tubes.

[Wie Gehts?]

Pig,

Thanks for the info! In the course of mining the 'net for info on the Tjoeb, I discovered a tubed CDP that seems to go it one better: the Heart CD-6000 (http://www.fsaudioweb.com).

[KeithH]

Dreamcatcher, I am considering Dan Wright's mods for the Ah! Njoe Tjoeb 4000. However, I would like to see some reviews of these mods before I jump in. The dilemma is that Upscale Audio has some mods available too. Through Upscale Audio, you can change the power cord ($79) and change op-amps. Upscale Audio is offering the Burr-Brown OPA-627 op-amp for $44. This is the same op-amp that Dan Wright will be offering. Also, Upscale Audio is supposed to offering an upsampling board (24/192) in the near future for around $300. I'm not sure which way to go with mods -- Upscale Audio or Dan Wright. Dan has said that it will be possible to add Upscale Audio's upsampling board to his modded player, so one could possibly have the best of both worlds. Dan naturally feels his DAC will most likely best the upsampling board, but I like the idea of having the flexibility to try out both. Anyway, I might go with Dan's mods first if reviews are positive. This will give me a lot of upgrades for $550, including a detachable power cord, which Upscale Audio is not offering. Then I could add the upsampling board for $300 or so later.

As for your other questions, I notice a click with the Ah!, but it is not loud. It doesn't bother me at all. Also, I have my Ah! connected to a pre-amp (actually an NAD C 370 stereo integrated amp) and have the volume level on the Ah! set at max. I have been told in the past that the volume control on the Ah! (and many mid-level players) is not good enough for connecting directly to a power amp. I have my NAD C 370 integrated amp biamped with an NAD C 270 power amp and have considered trying the Ah! directly with the power amp, but I haven't gotten around to it.

As for a warm sound from the Ah!, it depends on what player you are comparing it to. There certainly are brighter players out there. I have a Sony SCD-C555ES SACD changer and an SCD-777ES SACD player in the same system as the Ah! The '777ES is better than the Ah!, while the 'C555ES and the Ah! are closer. I prefer the 'C555ES overall, as I feel it is more dynamic and provides a wider soundstage and more detail. The Ah! is nice, but on certain recordings, it is harsher than the 'C555ES. An example is the Tom Petty Damn The Torpedoes remastered CD (HDCD). I find the keyboards and Petty's vocals in "Refugee" to be harsh on the Ah!. There is a bit of an edge on the 'C555ES as well, but the 'C555ES is smoother. The '777ES is smoother yet.

[pigmode]

KeithH,

What tubes are you running? I too am considering the mods--mainly because I plan to keep the AH! for a while before upgrading. Still, My main fear is that I may end up with a sound that I am not very enamoured with.

I am running the AH! into an LW-1 passive preamp with very good results. as far as your direct-connecting the AH! to your amps, have you seen these?

http://www.tweakaudio.com/Ultimate%20Attenuators.html