i'ld like to know your experience: please indicate two CDT: your prefer and wich one you have comparated with (also integrated cd player but only use as transport)
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.
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.
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; 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.
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.
I don't believe that all wall wart SMPS (Switching mode power supplies) are the same. Like literally everything concerning audio it depends on the level of execution/implementation. The Pro-Ject RS2T transport comes standard with a wall wart power supply (SMPS) and sounds fabulous. Better than my really fine P.S.Audio PWT which has a linear power supply (LPS).
Yes you can further improve the. RS2T with a good quality external LPS. A nice option but by no means mandatory. The stock SMPS with the RS2T is very well done.
Just keep in mind some really expensive transports (and DAC's) use junk wall-wort p-s and you will need to buy an extra box to get a real power supply.
It appears that TEAC has recently released the VRDS 701TB CD Transport. The US MSRP is ~$2700. Has anyone heard this TEAC transport? I'm interested in how this compares sonically to the Jays Audio CDT2 Mk3, and the CEC TL5.
The beauty of the manual loading trays is that they don't wear out. The internal mechanism guiding the laser will though. Probably the optical unit itself will wear out first though. I would advise anyone just now buying a unit to purchase extra optical units. They can be found on Ebay and such, and there are Youtube videos showing how to replace.
By the way, I am not suggesting that these Transports and DACs in the $5,000.00 range are equal in quality or performance to the units costing 2-5 times more.
Here’s an interesting CD transport story. I purchased a Wadia 270 transport in 1999. A year or two later I had it upgraded by Steve Huntley at Great Northern Sound. While he was in there he replaced the transport mechanism with a new transport from a Wadia 270SE which he had on hand. I was there in person when he made the swap.
Remarkably this transport continues to read CDs but now the CD drawer occasionally fails to open. Only problem I’ve had with this transport. I believe these transport mechanisms were made by TEAC.
This a remarkable record for any CD transport. Built like a virtual tank and always sounds excellent. Actually contemplating repair if possible.
Was originally paired with a Wadia 27i DAC which is long gone.
PS: Great Northern replaced a lot of caps with Black Gate electrolytics. At this age do you think they should be checked?
@willywonka: unless switched to up sampling (172/24 or 4x), which everyone would do with these units. Including myself.
Copy / paste :
I don’t know what effect this dither will have on the performance of D/A processors that are connected to the Jay’s CDT3-MK3, but it will limit the effective resolution of CDs played with the transport to closer to 15 bits rather than the 16 available on disc. By contrast, the upsampled output is bit-perfect with 16-bit CD data. Both types of output offer low jitter and well-resolved eye patterns, coupled with excellent error correction.—John Atkinson
I suggest that everyone interested in this CD Transport read Atkinson's review. It was not at all unflattering, and the final note on bits was that engaging the 4x upsampler captured all the bits which is why I run in that mode. I can see why the manufacturer put an in-your-face toggle switch on the machine rather than try to use an array of buttons. This strategy tells the owner to "looky here" at this switch and try it.
@bolongDid you see the review on the Jay's Audio CDT3-MK3 in the May edition of Stereophile? John Atkinson's measurements were not very flattering! Because of the high noise it only offered 15 bits of information to the DAC versus 16 bit. It may sound good but this would be concerning to me.
Adding to the other perspective, sometimes a great CDP or SACD player can make a great transport. It all depends on who made it and what their design criteria was/is.
My Technics SL-G700 SACD player is used as a CDT for CDs using its Toslink out and the RCA outs are used only when playing SACDs. The sound I get with CDs can be breathtaking compared to my old Marantz Reference CDP.
I have both the Jay's CDT2 Mk3 and CDT3 Mk3 - both good units. The most important thing I learned after graduating to these more capable players is that using good CD-R's (I am using "Maxell for Music" blanks) and using .wav files burned onto them at the "slow" speed on my desktop computer can make a big difference in sound quality.
Wish I'd known this before ordering my Jay's! Not one review I read mentioned the forward aspect. In my system, I found it quite fatiguing
Humm, I don't find the Jays CDT2 MK3 bright or forward. Not at all. I don't use silver interconnects and the Qutest DAC isn't extremely forward either, not like some ESS Dacs.
I guess it's a total system thing - but my Jay's is strong in bass and pretty even otherwise. Sorry, it's not to your liking.
The jays MKII was also a very good transport. It is more forward sounding than the Pro-Ject and the Audiomeca so it sounds a little faster.
Wish I'd known this before ordering my Jay's! Not one review I read mentioned the forward aspect. In my system, I found it quite fatiguing until I eliminated silver cabling and changed out the Symposium Roller Block footers. I can't imagine pairing the Jay's with a "surgical" DAC -- a tubed DAC would probably be ideal.
I typically don't buy anything without a return option and this experience has reinforced my intention to not break my own rule, again. Having said that, I'm not sure what other transport I would've worked, at the price point, as I did not care for the ergonomics of the pro-ject.
I have several excellent CD players and just bought the Audiolab 9000CDT and it is truly wonderful machine, very well built and with superior performance.
The Atoll DR200 Signature and the two newcommers, the Schiit URD and Shanling ET-3, are also interesting - all at reasonable prices for well designed CD transports.
@mesch you can delete your message regardless of when you posted. Just hit the little wheels icon (top right of your post), and then "delete" from the drop down.
The only one that has a time limit for 30 minutes is the other option, the "edit"
Yes, $2500. I hate the double posts. Didn't see the 1st, Thought I exited prior to actually posting.
I understand the 'once and done' thing for avoidance of regret. I have several component projects under consideration, starting at the source. My Cambridge CXC being the weakest link. I am confident either of Jay's transports would serve as an upgrade. Would likely upgrade my DAC next.
I have talked to Tekaudio and will likely purchase from them.
I am considering the Jays CDT2 MK3 or the CDT3. $2000 vs. $5000, humm...
It will largely depend on the rest of your system (whether "up to task"), and most importantly, your budget. I personally went directly to the CDT3-MK3, so I don’t know. What I know is I will not have regrets in the future. Once and done. People who have had them both I have "met" online say there is a significant improvement going from the CDT2 to the CDT3, but there is no way for me to verify those impressions.
A few weeks ago, I bought a Audiolab 9000 CDT and it is fantastic: amazing sound, great built and fair price. I have several good CD players and CD transports, but the 9000 CDT presents the music in a special way, very detailed, smooth and engaging.
So far, I have paired it with two dacs: the Denafrips Pontus II and Opera Consonance DAC16, with excellent results.
Some days ago arrived on the market another interesting machine, the Shanling ET3 CD transport, a top loading type with upsampling capacity and I2S output:
I bought Nuprime CDT and I couldn't listen to it even once, it didn't work and I returned it. Then I went for my first option that I had not chosen because the price was higher than the Nuprime, and this was the Pro-Ject CD Box RS2 T, which I bought with its linear separate power supply, and even its special power cable. between transport and source. It has been one of my best investments to date, transparent liquid sound, precise and musical. A good power cable makes differences and the same a good bases in both devices
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.
I think equipment should be rated according to price ranges. For those that cannot/will not spend top money on something, it could be most helpful to rate items according to price ranges — bang for bucks — rather than simply “best I ever heard”.
These questions get so boring and routine. But okay, from what I have actually heard and spent any time with, Esoteric P1X. Also heard it with the Rubidium Clock and that made improvements but is not made anymore. But Esoteric has an all new in house designed/ built PIX Clock that I have not heard, but will assume is an improvement. I don’t know exact prices but at these price levels improvements don’t come cheap and you have to decide value here. Personally, if I had the disposable cash I probably would buy it. Keep in mind also the technology in the P!X Clock was filtering down into all there SACD players b-4 the P!X was available. I think. Not to mention I can't wait to hear the new turntable. I have listened to the Limited edition Naim and for the price; table, tonearm, cartridge, preamp, and dual power supply is I guess a sort of bargain in this sector of the market.
This is a very good thread. Lots of very good information on CD transports, without any of the usual snarky (a $16 eBay DVD player is just as good) comments from certain forum participants.
If someone is interested on a CD transport (digital output only), but, with additional added functionality, I would recommend the T+A MP 200. It is a streamer (and Roon Ready certified endpoint), and a radio (FM, HD, and more).
Yes. Actually sounds better sometimes with the Denafrips DAC. I know there are a great many streamers out there that will out perform the Node. No doubt. But they also have much bigger price tags. I wanted to see how much better the Node could sound by swapping a better power supply and adding a very good DAC. I was very surprised. The Node does not get the respect it deserves IMO.
I have the CDT2 MK2 paired with the Pontas II 12th Anniversary DAC. So far it's the best digital playback I have had. On par with Bluesound Node output to the Pontus II
The Bluesound Node is on equal footing with your Jay’s Audio CD transport?
Nutty, I have the CDT2 MK2 paired with the Pontas II 12th Anniversary DAC. So far it's the best digital playback I have had. On par with Bluesound Node output to the Pontus II. The Sony Walkman is my backup...
I just ordered the Jay's Audio CDT2-MK3 Transport to play Reebook CD's to mate with my Pontas II 12th DAC. I still have my Oppo BDP105D for universal media playback and to play external hard drive files.
I've had a Cambridge Audio and Audiolab. Both were capable. I noticed a quantitative difference with a used PS Audio Perfect Wave Transport. I wouldn't consider any player without an I2S (HDMI) input. Best wishes.
You must have a verified phone number and physical address in order to post in the Audiogon Forums. Please return to Audiogon.com and complete this step. If you have any questions please contact Support.
