CD / SACD players and transports — Vincent CD-S7 DAC

The Vincent CD-S7 DAC belongs to the tubeLine collection of the German brand as a hybrid CD player, combining a transistor-based digital section with valves in the analogue stage. Apart from reading discs, it converts signals from outside sources through optical, coaxial and USB inputs, and Vincent describes its analogue output as fully symmetrical. Two finishes, silver and black, are available.

Key specs that matter

A Burr-Brown PCM1796 converter processes both disc data and external signals at up to 24 bit and 192 kHz. Frequency response runs from 20 Hz to 20 kHz within plus or minus 0.5 dB. The maker lists harmonic distortion under 0.005 percent, a signal-to-noise figure above 94 dB, dynamic range over 100 dB and channel separation of more than 90 dB, with an output voltage of 2.5 V. The valve complement consists of two 6922, one 6Z4 and one 12AX7. Files in WAV, FLAC, APE, LPCM, MP3, AAC, AC3 and WMA formats are supported. The case is 430 x 132 x 356 mm and the unit weighs 9 kg.

Engineering and use context

Vincent uses a Philips VAN 1202 mechanism as the disc transport. A generously sized power supply feeds the circuits through separate stabilisation stages, and film capacitors from WIMA and M-Cap appear in the signal path. The electronics are enclosed in a steel shielding case behind a thick front plate of anodised aluminium, and the chassis rests on solid feet. A round porthole window on the front is lit by an orange LED backlight whose brightness can be adjusted. A 6.3 mm headphone socket on the front is driven by a tube stage of its own, so a headphone can be used without an extra amplifier. On the rear, analogue signals leave through stereo RCA and balanced XLR sockets, and a coaxial digital output passes the data to other equipment. A USB port joins the optical and coaxial digital inputs, and a pair of 3.5 mm jacks handles power control with other Vincent devices.

Pairing

Both single-ended and balanced line inputs can be served from the CD-S7 DAC, since it offers RCA as well as XLR outputs, so it connects to integrated amplifiers or preamplifiers with either type of input. With its USB input the unit can also take audio from a computer and convert it, which lets one box cover both CD playback and file replay for a stereo amplifier.

Alternatives

The Vincent CD-S1.2 is another CD player in the maker's range, which Vincent equips with a tube output stage and many connection options.