AH! Tjoeb '98 Review

Overall Rating

none

The first time I saw this "Tjoeb" cd-player I wasn't even aware this was a tube cd-player. It was just looking like a normal standard Marantz Cd-38 cd-player, nothing more, nothing less. In fact I was only looking to it because several visitor's in my dealer's store were looking into this unit like it was something special. As I became curious what they were looking at I did the same and saw that the opened Marantz Cd-38 had a very neat, professional made tube-circuit built in. I asked if this was a new Marantz cd-player and all started to laugh and the dealer explained me that this was a local project from Frank, the technician of the store.
I was invited to come and join the group to listen to a system which was evaluated by them already before I entered the shop. Sonus Faber Electa Amator mk2 speakers, amplified by a Krell KAV500i, sourced by the very "Tjoeb" cd-player and cabled with Transparent cables of which I don't know the exact types.

While I was listening to this system with various kinds of music, I noticed that although we were playing quite loud, the music was always very smooth. Different from my system at home which could sound harsh and agressive with some of my cd's. The system was presenting us with a big wall of music while at the same time it was very easy to pinpoint the individual instruments and voices. Very remarkable!

I was so impressed that I wanted to buy the unit right away and take it home. For the money asked for this wasn't a big risk anyway. However the dealer didn't want to do that and told me that he insisted on a try out at my home. I didn't think this was necessary, but anyway I decided to accept that.

At home I replaced my not so old Sony CDP-XA50 cd-player with the "Tjoeb" and put it on repeat with my Sheffield/XLO burn-in cd. After dinner I went up again and played a few of my favorite cd's. I had the same experience as in the shop. Big sound, well-detailed, not agressive, good imaging with both depth and front information and again, I could play much louder than before. It was like my system was performing with much more ease. I decided that my Sony was going to be my "spare"-unit and that I was going to visit my dealer to inform him that his "Tjoeb" was mine!

After the weekend I was informed that this "Tjoeb '98" was about to be upgraded to a "Tjoeb '99" and that -if I wanted- could wait for that model which is going to be available from January 1, 1999 (is this logic?). However I decided to keep this one and to go for un upgrade in 1999. This upgrade will give the Tjoeb a precise cristal, ac noise "killers" for both the powersupply of the cd-mechanism as well as the tube-section, critical rewiring of the internal signalcabling and a muting circuit with relays instead of the Marantz transistor muting-circuit. Yes, it will raise the price to $ 450.00. So what?

Too bad that this beauty isn't available out there, otherwise each of you could enjoy as much, for as less as I do! Enjoy your life and music.