Audio Aero Prestiges new transport?

1.Much quieter operation
2.more open
3.better bottom end
I have a Dartzeel pre and it gives a very different
presentation(a little leaner and more open). I like the sound
direct and through the pre amp.

I like to use my Prestige with ARC ref 3 with balanced cables. It gives me fuller sound and better soundstage.

A few days ago, after a long wait I finally received the upgraded Prestige (SE + new Sony transport).

The initial impression was: very quiet transport, still more open, tactile sound, slightly stronger bass. Overall: worthwhile upgrade.

However, there still seems to be a problem with the transport:

When I start the player, an electronic noise (hum) is heard from the speakers as the transport spins up. When I stop the CD, the same type of noise is heard as the transport spins down. When I go from one track to the other, short electronic pops are heard. I do not mean mechanical noise coming from the transport (which is much softer than the previous Philips transport), but electronic noise coming from the speakers (or headphones). The noise is quite irritating and sometimes occurs at the same time as the music. As soon as the transport has reached a constant speed, there is no noise.

This problem occurs only after the player has warmed up. When the player is switched on after a period of rest (= not powered on), there seems to be no problem, but it starts after approx. half an hour or so of being powered on.

I have not yet written to Audio Aéro about this, but plan to do so this weekend.

Anyone having a similar experience with the Sony built transport?

Problem now with the transports is that neither Philips nor Sony make the pro versions because of lack in demand. The stuff going as Philips and Sony now is a cheap reproduction made somewhere in China, probably next to a cheap DVD assembly line. No much quality control there, everything goes out the door, no questions asked at those prices anyway.
That is why Accuphase is building now its own transports (weights about 8Kg). Sony stopped making the good transports some time ago. Teac and Linn took measures some time ago too.
So the other manufacturers are drawing from NOS transports, of which they bought many in anticipation of what is happening now.
I would make sure the manufacturer will service my CD long enough, or get a pickup head as a replacement now. I do not know how the future will look like for those transports, but not so nice if you paid dearly for your CD player .

As is happening with AA it will happen with every other CD player manufacturer who does either not make its own drive or at least put together something solid from bits and pieces sourced fron Sony or Philips. They call those "modified" now.

Interesting info... my demo Prestige (same one I brought to use as the front end for the Merlin/ARS-Sonum/Cardas room at the Stereophile show the other week) which is only a few months old with the new transport has been very, very quiet. If the transport or something else in the player is causing noise to come out the speakers, check the ground lift swtich on the rear panel. While I doubt its some kind of weird ground issue that is causing the noise, it would only take a few seconds to flip the switch to see if it makes any difference. One last thought... I would also check the placement of the player in regards to other gear... it could be some kind of odd interaction issue with other gear which may be located close to the player.