Hey Jack,
I don't review CD players. Therefore, I can't comment on your question regarding either the Rega or Oppo CD players. However, I have written reviews on eight different DACs, a number of threads here on AudioGon contain information on these DACs, in different price ranges ($1000 to $14,000). My latest review, on the Audio Note UK 3.1 Balanced DAC, will be published at any minute now.
So, if you want information on stand alone DACs, not players, you will find the above mentioned reviews and threads helpful to you to see what you might want to go for. Regrading, a transport, if you can afford the cost, the Pro-Ject transport is a killer. |
Hey Nonoise,
I have the SPL Director in-house for review. Yes, the Pro-Ject CD Box RS2 transport driving the Director's internal DAC delivers superlative results. So far, any DAC I have teamed with this transport increases the overall performance to a higher level then with my other transports. |
Hey Jab,
The three transports that you mention I have had in-house over the course of time, along with Acoustic Arts, MBL, CEC, PS Audio and the Jay's Audio transport was better then them. Therefore, the Pro-Ject has bettered the Jay's audio piece which concludes that the Pro-Ject transport is a very special piece based on a new technology. |
No, it's not applying the approach that is used by the PS Audio transport. This is a totally different/new device for spinning CDs.
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Hey gochurchgo,
I'm not really trying to be a peacemaker, but I think Cleeds was not going after you personally. He was just trying to point out if your DAC is not at a high level of performance you would be wasting your money to buy a reference level transport.
If you read my brief description of what this transport provided in my system you would understand what a better transport can provide, if the receiving DAC and the rest of the system is up to it. |
Hey jriggy,
The one I have in for review is totally silent and has performed perfectly in all its operations. |
I have just got done listening for five hours to the Pro-Ject transport with Pro-Ject's upgraded external power supply and reference connecting cable between them.
It took this superbly performing transport to another level in the following ways:
1) Layering and placement of instruments in an airy and enveloping sound-stage became even more precise and 3D in nature.
2) The noise floor went down, so the smallest micro-details were revealed even more clearly.
3) The bottom-end is faster/tighter and better controlled.
4) There is even more a "sense of ease" that many would refer to as analog sounding in nature.
The combo of the Pro-Ject transport and the Audio Note UK 3.1/II Balanced DAC is by fair the best digital front end I have had in-house. My only slight criticism towards Pro-Ject would be they ship this great transport with a very inexpensive switching power supply, which stills sound terrific in spite of it, for 3K. Hell, add the cost of the upgraded linear power supply and sell them as a pair for a reasonable up charge.
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Hey essrand,
Yes, historically I have had CEC transports, I use one right now in my smaller system (double belt model) along with many other transports including the Jay's Audio that you mention. The Pro-Ject performs at a higher level then any transport I have had in-house for evaluation or listening pleasure. |
Hey Charlies,
Long tall Dexter, he could really play his butt off!
I believe it's right around $850. I'm also waiting for Linear Tube Audio customized power supply, should get sometime in the next two weeks, to see which one might be the best at improving performance. The power supply should be 20 volt /3 amps for optimum effect on the transport. |
Hey bigkidz,
Well said bigkidz, you came to the same conclusions I did regarding the sonic qualities of this transport. Everything you mention dramatically improves when using Pro-Ject’s upgraded linear power supply. The whole presentation becomes more "effortless" with a higher degree of liquidity. For my tastes this is the best transport, regardless of price, I have ever had in-house, and as I stated before I have had some of the highest regarded transports over the years in my systems. |
Hey chayro,
The company that Pro-Ject gets this transport mechanism from is producing them currently. Therefore, it is not NOS that is no longer in production, like what Jay's audio uses, and can be replaced with a current in-production one. No worries regarding replacement for a long time in the future. |
The individual who purchased my Jay's Audio transport MK-II is waiting for the new board replacement that would bring the transport to a MK-3 status. As soon as he gets it, I'll let you guys know how it compares to the Pro-Ject transport driving the same DAC (s) in my systems. This hopefully will be next week vs months away.
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Hey everybody,
Just got through with my evaluation of using Pro-ject's own up-graded linear power supply, which I stated earlier in this thread lead to significant improvements over their standard switch-mode power supply, with Linear Tube Audio's own customized linear power supply. LTA changed the rating from 12V-3A to 20V-3A.
These subtle but easy to hear positive changes were:
1) Transient speed and overall dynamics/aliveness increased.
2) The sound-stage opened up with more air around instruments.
3) Transparency/clarity went to a higher level.
4) The purity of timbres/tonality/colors increased.
Great stuff! The Linear tube Audio power supply costs $645, which is about two hundred dollars less than Pro-ject unit. Therefore, my conclusion is if you get this transport, go for the Linear Tube Audio power supply.
On to the topic of comparing the Pro-Ject to the Jay's Audio MKIII. My friend will be installing the new board to bring the transport to MKIII status in the next couple of days. We will let it burn-in for a few days and then do the side by side comparison in my system and report back with our findings in the next two weeks.
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Hey tommylion,
To be quite frank, I never program tracks, so I never thought about it! Why don’t you go to Pro-ject’s website and take a look at the owner’s manual to see how to engage this feature. If it's not in the manual send an Email to them for an answer to your question. |
Hey Nonoise,
Nope, this transport does not use the Tiger platform. |
Hey Tom,
Including the height of the transport chassis you will need about 10 inches with the lid wide open to comfortably change discs. You could get away with maybe a few inches shorter,but you would have to be much more attentive/careful when placing the CD and clamp during operation for the next disc.
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Guys, absolutely no issues with noise coming from the transport. My review sample has worked flawlessly after hundreds of hours of use. I also checked with the importer who said both statements (noise problems/lack of product) are not correct. Yes, like virtually all high-end gear there is a longer waiting time than usual, but no problems with their production. |
Hey disc,
Thanks for posting the link to my review. I hope all you guys enjoy it and find it informative about this great transport. It's not inexpensive by any means. However, I believe it's one of the best transports on the market today, and the highest performing I have ever had in my house. |
Hey Charlies,
Glad that you enjoyed it. Yes, the brightness/color are adjusted through the remote control. |
Hey stewg,
I have nothing but respect for Audio Note UK gear. My hunch is that because all the different Audio Note transports use some type of NOS Phillips transport mechanisms, and the Pro-Ject uses a qualitative new/different mechanism and control board that you still would get a higher level of performance out of your 2.1X Signature by driving it with the Pro-Ject. Part of this hunch is also based on that at least three transports that I have had in-house used different versions of NOS Phillips transports and none sounded as good as the Pro-Ject driving my 3.1 Balanced MK II. |
Hey Wig,
Thanks for your kudos!
Would you share what the Pro-Ject transport has added/improved in your digital front end performance.
Thanks, TJ |
Two things,
First, disc I highly recommend you try the Black Cat Digit 110 AES/EBU cable that retails for $875. It's my reference cable and competes with much more expensive models.
Just got an Email from a recent owner of the Pro-Ject transport & LTA power supply: "With the LTA power supply the bass articulation, texture, and detail are significantly improved. The air and transparency around the musicians has improved, along with depth and width of the sound-stage. This transport, with the LTA power supply has made the most noticeable improvement in my system over any other component by far."
This is only one of the Emails I have received with the same superlative results. |
Hey rsf507,
I don't believe that this Black Cat cable is necessarily 110 Ohm. Its the name of this digital AES/EBU piece. If you want to check on it's Ohm rating give Chris a call, he'll inform you of its exact rating. |
Hey Charles,
I have never been a fan of P.S. Audio gear for two reasons: 1) There build quality. 2) Underwhelming performance-Both the DACs and transport.
I have talked to two individuals that I trust their "ears" and both thought the Pro-Ject transport was superior in it's performance compared to the latest version of the P.S. Audio PWT transport. |
Hey tduc1,
Here's my picks, from the bottom to the top in your price range:
1) Mhdt Orchid
2) Mhdt balanced Pagoda or Audio Mirror Tubadour III
3) Audio Note UK 2.1x
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