BEST CD TRANSPORT

@cdc 

I believe that the main distinguishing attribute contributing to the high level of sound quality by the RS2T is the utilization of the Stream Unlimited CD PRO-8 top loading drive unit with its integrated Blue Tiger servo. I strongly suspect this is the major factor.

Charles 

Charles; you hit it on the head.  The Stream unlimited drives and servo boards are about the best that can be had (except in the case of very expensive transports), and if the output electronics are well done, the sound is quite good.  This is why Schiit uses them in the URD transport.

@fastcat95

Wise choice for Schitt.

Gryphon, Audionet, Aqua HiFii (La Diva MK II) and Acustic Arts Audio have all chosen the latest Stream Unlimited CD PRO CD-8 top loading drive mechanism/assembly unit.

Charles

For the people who recommended the PS Audio SACD Transport - any concerns about the reliability of the transport mechanism? I read in another thread that it uses a Denon & Marantz drive which is supposed to be more reliable than the cheap drive used in the older PS Audio transport.

I’m looking to replace my 20 year old Accustic Arts CDP which does have a top loading drive. I’m considering the PS Audio transport and their new DirectStream MKII. It would be an easier choice if PS Audio used a top loading drive.

I came across this new CDT that uses the CD-PRO-8 transport from Audio Phonique, from Poland. pg

The sad thing is I don't think most here can afford it but it's nice to see what can be obtained. It's not on their website yet.

All the best,
Nonoise

Thanks @nonoise 

That is an impressive looking transport. Another High End European CD transport utilizing the Stream Unlimited CD Pro-8 drive . This is why I've viewed the RS2T as a "" relative " bargain. The other European brands with this drive unit are 10K USD and higher. I am not suggesting that just this top load Stream Unlimited drive  unit is all that matters, But it is a fundamentally important aspect contributing to a high quality CD transport. It is well thought out in addressing vibration and resonance issues.

Charles

Bought a Teac VRDS-701T CD transport on a whim to get back into my CD collection in storage; it has a version of Teac's VRDS mechanism - for what that's worth, I don’t know really. 

What I DO know is that its sound is better than what I get streaming from a Lumin P1, and on par mostly with what I get from my Linn LP12 Selekt TT with a $2K Grado cart.

Who knew? Lol not me that's for sure!

Preowned Meridian 500 CD transport. 

I recently bought the Teac 701t and it's a great machine  ,  love it.  

The two players I currently use as CD Transports are REALLY not bad as CD Players either...

(1) Sony BDP-S2000ES

A true ES unit, no SACD, coax opt. digital outputs Great transport AND standalone CD player, Slow loading gen 1.5 Blu Ray player, but worth the wait.

(2) Harman Kardon CD-990

Coax/opt outs, also RCA / XLR analog outputs w twin internal AKM dacs. Suggest sound deadening of (under) top cover with Dyna-mat or Kilmat. Refined rendition of the classic HK sound signature (as a transport) after mod. Also capable of being used as a DAC (has digital inputs).

I won’t say these are giant killers, but they ARE a bit surprising as CD transports.

They have replaced an OPPO UDP-203 AND a Sony UBP-X1000ES used as transports in my rack; into a Schiit Gungnir Multibit A2 DAC.

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Recently added a Sony SCD-XA5400 player to these (large rack). Now using native DACs (analog outs) of the HD 990 to clear both coax digital inputs for the Sonys.

The HK player with it's dual dac's has an excellent analog output btw, and also has

digital inputs so it can be used as a standalone dac. 

 Through the Gungnir into a Freya+ in tube mode the 2 Sonys are surprisingly close (and excellent) sounding to each other. Next step will be a Gungnir 2 DAC. Should be interesting!

With the Jay's Audio CDT Mk 3 I have become enamored with the 4x upsampling toggle. I would now always prefer a transport that has such options.

https://forum.audiogon.com/posts/2570169 Post regarding Esoteric.

I think their reputation/perception is better than reality. My K-07X transport has failed twice. When working or using its DAC, it sounds superb.

Just to add to this: I bought an Urd a year ago (running it into Dac3 B via coax). The combo sounds quite good (comparing it to my Wadia 830 and a modded Oppo 105D). I also use the USB input of the Urd to run my streaming through to the Benchmark which is certainly handy.

But the Urd has gone to Schiit. For repair. Since day one, it only plays a disc upon close about 60% of the time. Open/close, open/close, maybe it plays, maybe it doesn't. Just annoying. (I'm not the only who has seen this odd behavior.) Otherwise, its a very good sounding unit (not really on par with the Wadia but close enough). 

Which has me back in the hunt for a transport (because I really don't have faith in Schiit getting it together, tbh.) Prior to selecting the Urd, I was looking at Pro-Ject, Jay's, Audiolab, CEC, Esoteric, and Teac, I didn't really want a slot loader (which might be a hangover from the car CD days - but the Pro-ject DS2 T uses a Stream 8 - surely it doesn't eat media). And I don't really have the rack space for a top loader, certainly not an RS2T.

Now I'm thinking maybe the DS2T is worth a try. But I'm also intrigued with CEC and belt drive. Drive isolation makes sense to me. And maybe, with most CEC models having the top-loading point at the very front edge, I might be able to load with minimal space above. 

I didn't want a slot loader and didn't have the space for a top loader and the Teac sounds great.   

Not worried about the tray at all.   It's driven by a rubber band, that is usually what fails when it won't eject.  

@trn - I suggest you follow up on looking at the CEC TL5 or TL2. I also had space issues and the CECs are quite compact and a minimum of space is needed due to the relatively low profiles. I have the TL5 and I am satisfied with the sound, but I really haven’t done any comparisons with the competition. I like the fact that the TL5 has a user replaceable belt, which may or may not be the case with the TL2. 

Trn:

I also have a Schiit URD.  It worked fine for a bit over 1 year, and then started to develop the "intermittent" play problem.  Finally, the CD drawer would not open, so I sent it to Schiit.  A solid unit with a Stream Unlimited drive and servo board.  You mention that others have had similar problems; any further comments about all this?  I found the sound to be very good with this transport, but I am wondering about the JPL-2800 drive mechanism durability, noting that a series of high end CD transports use this drive, or the CD PRO-8 (which seems to use most of the same "guts" as the 2800).

As I understand it, the Urd also uses the Pro-8 (or a variant of it). I've been in contact with other Urd users who have had similar issues as mine and different issues such as what you're experiencing. I've found these users on many of the other forums (ASR, SBAF, Head-fi, etc). Some choose to live with their issues (for reasons I personally don't understand but, you do you.) I haven't read about any issues other than what seem to be drive issues. No one has an issue with the sonic performance of the unit (I don't either). It's sounds good when it plays.  

I received notice today that my unit has been repaired and shipped. Here is the accompanying service report.

"Replaced the tray motor's band, the CD drive control board, and made sure all of the Urd firmware is up to date.

Played multiple CD's without any issues."

We'll see if the problem has been resolved.

Trn:  Keep us informed in this thread  as to how your repaired URD works.  The URD uses the JPL-2800 tray loader mechanism, and the CD88 servo board.  The CDPRO-8 variation is supposed to be an "upscale" mechanism.  My research is that the CDPRO-8 has most of the same "guts" as the JPL-2800; but it is housed in a CNC machined aluminum box.  Not sure this would lead to any significant sonic or reliability advantage.  As you might be aware, there are very few decent CD drive available for use in the high end.  Stream Unlimited, a Teac unit (not Esoteric), and maybe a few others.  Stream Unlimited is made up of the "gurus" that were doing the fine drives that Phillips made decades ago.  Schiit went with the Stream Unlimited drive and servo board - probably the best choice.  As to reliability, we will see.  My unit has just reached their repair department, and I am hoping for a long term fix.  I will update this thread.