Simply plug your CD player directly into it.  The 860 has a 100K ohm constant impedance Alps input volume control for just such a simple system!  The CD player "sees" a constant high impedance load at all frequencies.

The 860 has zero feedback, and there is an RCA jack on the top of the chassis that accepts factory supplied plugins for user adjustable contours.  When the contour plugs are not used, there is nothing extra in the circuit.  The contour loop has no switches or connections in the signal path when not in use.  The zero feedback design is much more challenging for the designer, but equally more enjoyable for the listener because of the increased dynamic range and excitement of live present-sounding vocals, as experienced by Larry Greenhill of Stereophile Magazine at HI-FI '98.  "I was drawn to their room by the stunningly realistic sound of Eric Clapton's voice."

Why tubes?  A tube is a true valve.  A transistor is a switch.  Tubes let the music flow, while transistors are incessantly turning your music on and off by their very nature.  Ever notice how the water flows smooth from conventional shower heads while it pulsates from massage heads?  The on-off pulses feel good on your back, but they're harsh on your music and add to listening fatigue the same way your back gets numb to the water pulses after a while.

The tube filaments are run on AC voltage which is lifted from ground by 40 volts DC, and wired with shielded twisted pair wires for maximum current handling, minimum noise, and a smooth voltage rail.  Switches and contacts are either gold or silver.  Tube biasing is user adjustable with factory supplied tool and Vishay trimmers, all easily accessed from the rear of the chassis. 

The amp is easily switchable from pentode to triode with an 18 amp solid silver contact toggle switch located between the KT88's.  The amp develops a minimum of 60 watts in pentode and 30 watts in triode.  If the user has efficient speakers, the triode mode offers some excellent dynamic sound. The RCA inputs and speaker outputs are hard gold plate over silver over copper for the best in long-life wear and maximum transfer of a clean unaltered signal.  Then the Model 860 amp must pass 100 hours of tests.

Live, immediate, present, dynamic, detailed.  At CES we were shaking the suite below us at the Alexis Park with the deep bass battle drums from "Braveheart" and only 30 watts!  We custom design our products to make it sound like you are on the stage with the performers, listening to real live vocalists and real instruments.

"Hi Don,  Wanted to let you know that my #860 Power amps arrived safely...They're both physically and sonically beautiful... the cd to amp option (bypassing preamp) is working very nicely... the upper and lower extension is far beyond what I was previously experiencing, and the midrange,...ah the midrange... I will have to eventually find the appropriate adjectives... I was up until the early hours last night listening to Diana Krall & Patricia Barber... intoxicating!! "      Greg G.   Reston, VA.

When you listen to Diana Krall play the piano on our system, you will feel like you are sitting at the bench with the bass strings vibrating on your left and the melody running up and down the keyboard octaves on your right, with Diana sitting on top of the concert grand piano singing to you in person.  You will hear the delicate smack as she parts her lips, draws a breath, and sings "I'm Through With Love" to you in person.  You don't just hear our 3-dimensional sound stage, you're on the stage involved in the live performance.