CD Transport

@nonoise 

I went back to double check and the only thing in English on those shots read: 701/701T so it must be the CDP and not the CDT. My bad

No problem and appreciate the effort. TEAC has the engineering chops and experience. To get the CD tray mechanism/assembly right does involve a degree of complexity that alternative top loaders don’t require. Simplicity is  an advantage with regard to audio more often than not.

​​​​​​​Charles 

@leog2015 has terrific options among CD transports. In a high quality and resolving audio system superb Redbook CD music reproduction is the reward.

Charles

I just want to add that just because Teac says it’s a VRDS (or whatever) doesn’t mean much. I had an Esoteric X-05 with a so-called VRDS transport that was just a glorified plastic transport with a top clamp resembling the clamp in the 701. It was nothing like the transports in the higher end Esoteric products. Given the cost of the better Esoteric units, I don’t think they’re giving you that much VRDS for under 3k. Not saying it’s bad, but don’t think you’re getting a transport out of a K-03 or anything like that. 

Sony built some of the best CD players ever with the X and XA models as examples. Particularly in the 1990's decade. They were better than many ES models. The CD mechanism was engineered like a Rolex watch. I wish Sony still made CD players like those models. If they did, Sony would be my first choice.

chayro

I had an Esoteric X-05 with a so-called VRDS transport that was just a glorified plastic transport with a top clamp resembling the clamp in the 701. It was nothing like the transports in the higher end Esoteric products.

Here's a photo of the Esoteric VRDS transport from its website:

@chayro

06am

I just want to add that just because Teac says it’s a VRDS (or whatever) doesn’t mean much. I had an Esoteric X-05 with a so-called VRDS transport that was just a glorified plastic transport with a top clamp resembling the clamp in the 701. It was nothing like the transports in the higher end Esoteric products.

Fair point. “VRDS” is the attention grabber. Very likely different levels of its implementation in different models.

Charles

@cleeds - that photo is definitely from a higher end VRDS.

The VRDS system that Teac uses is the best CD transport on the market, I have the esoteric P10 transport and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I’m finally buying a Jay’s audio CDT3 Mk3, I think it’s a sure bet…

@leog2015 

I don't believe that you'll be disappointed.

Charles

Great choice. Just don’t get a hernia installing it :)

Yeah that one and the Bricasti should make sweet sound. If it does not, I would be very surprised indeed. Tell us your thoughts later.

Thanks everybody for you valuable help in this decision!!!

@2psyop 

Yeah that one and the Bricasti should make sweet sound. If it does not, I would be very surprised indeed

Yes, should sound splendid!!!

Charles

Congrats on your settling on the CD3 Mk3! Here's a link to Michael Lavorgna's review of it. He flat out loved it. Just read it every now and again until it arrives and it should leave you in a good place until then. 😄

All the best,
Nonoise

Personally, if your deck has support for I2S, I would not consider any transport that lack support for this protocol. I can tell you from personal experience, the disparity between an AES connection and I2S is quite significant..

I presently have the PS Audio DMP player and it’s superb and built like a tank. Their new iteration is said to be as good if not better. If your budget permits, I would certainly consider that. 
https://www.psaudio.com/products/perfectwave-sacd-transport

@chayro 

I have a CEC on the way. There are a lot of choices and very difficult to compare them side by side. I like the ergonomics of the unit and the fact that it is a time-tested design with US service

A friend of mine had an upper level TL2 for a number of years.

It is a high-quality CD transport and from my observation quite reliable. He did have to change the drive belt from time to time as they tend to stretch after awhile. It is also a well-built top loading unit as well. There are definitely very good options available for those who continue to greatly enjoy the physical media CD.

FWIW, I have been using a CEC TL5 for some time, and am very happy with it. Note also that it is fairly simple to replace the belt, if or when necessary.

Love my Rega Apollo as a transport! Nice analog sound. Yes transports sound different. 

I have not seen/heard the Primare or the Audiolab, but if you're talking about the TEAC VRDS-701T CD Transport, yes I have heard it and other Teac models that you can also connect a master clock generator that surprisingly makes an audible improvement.  The Teac has the best transport mechanism of the three; Primare, lesser spec Teac part, and the Audiolab looks generic with maybe better dampening applied.  The 701T is a sonically neutral machine.  When I hear adjectives describing or ascribing some sonic signature to a product like this as warm, meatier bass, soft highs, etc., those to me are colorations.  I suppose neutral could be described as a coloration but this transport gets the information off the discs and if later you want to improve on it, the TEAC CG-10M Master Clock Generator will definately do that.  I have heard these master clock generators on a few Teac's and Esoteric Audio products and they always make an improvement rather than just sound different like a lot of products might do.  Think of the 701T VRDS as a baby Esoteric; okay a very baby Esoteric.  It even uses a three point steel footers setup ( very similar to Esoteric) separate transformers, digital, transport.

Have your heard the Jay’s Audio CDT3 MK3 transport? 

@vitussl101

I appreciate your enthusiasm for the TEAC/Esoteric transports. I have to say that every audio component has some degree/level of signature or sonic character. I have not encountered an audio product that is any exception to this. I do think that the TEAC701T comparison with the Jay’s Audio CD transports would be very informative.

Charles

I was going to purchase a Jays Audio CD3/MK3 and probably will but in the meantime, I am using a modified Arcam Delta 250 transport and 270 cd player.  The power boards are rebuilt with massive power caps, filter caps, Sparkos regulators, etc.  Costly but sonically worth it.  Because they are difficult to find, the Jays Audio is a better option.  

Does anybody own a Shanling ET-3 CD Transport? I’m considering upgrading my CXC to it. Thanks 

@leog2015 - did you get the Jays yet?  Just interested in your opinion if you did. 

Still with UPS…