CD Transport Question


I've recently acquired a Naim NAC 272 which I'm using as a pre-amp, streamer and DAC. I really like the Naim sound.

I have hundreds of CDs and am contemplating purchasing a single CD Transport. The brick and mortar store where I purchased the used NAC 272 told me the Naim CD options do not have the appropriate connections to be used solely as a transport. He also sold Rega, but said that brand didn't "play well" with the NAC 272. His suggestions were the Marantz 6007 run in digital-out mode and/or the Cambridge Audio CXC v2 (or even the AXC35 or Yamaha CD-303). His thought was I only need to purchase for the transport itself as the DAC in the NAC 272 will be superior to any DACs found in CD players [otherwise] up to $2,000. 

In my research, other options I've seen of mention are the: Denon DCD-900NE; Audiolab 6000CDT; LEAK CDT; NAD C568; Roksan Attessa CD; Rotel CD14 MKII; CEC TL5; and the Yamaha CDS1000. 

Can you share your experiences or thoughts with any of these Transports [or Players with Digital-out to bypass the CD unit's internal DACs]? Do some of the lesser priced models have the same laser and other CD moving parts where the higher priced options from those manufacturers are simply being poured into the DAC? Are there others I should consider at or under $1,200? I've read sufficient comments suggesting I should not purchase a CD transport or player used. If there's a transport [used] that might be an exception, however, please do share that info as well.

Many thanks. 

northbeach

@tweak1 

Are you sure you’re talking about the same units. Last I checked both the Pioneer Elite PD-65 and the DV-09 have the option of Coaxial as well as Optical Outputs. I use mine with my Chord Dave DAC. You may be talking about their other models that are Pioneer instead of the Pioneer Elite. See attached.

 

 

 

I’ve had many CD players in my system, Krell, Melody, Mark Levenson, Audio Research, DCS, etc, but for me, the best one I actually kept, and will keep, is the Esoteric X-01 D2. Granted, not everyone can afford a 20K player (the new model tops 30K), but I got this used for 4.3K (10 year old discontinued model) in excellent condition. I never thought digital could sound as good as my analog system (Gyrodec/SME 5/Atlas/BAT/Vendetta phono/home brew SE EL34 amp/ Focal, among others). The transport is unique, built like a tank, and is as good as it gets, and there are 2 pairs of DACs (fully balanced) one pair for PCM and one pair for DSD with options to convert between each other. Most original owners who spend the big bucks for equipment like this, take very good care of their prize possessions. So if you can find one at a reasonable price, It may very well have been babied. BTW if you are considering loading all your CDs onto a HD/server, for convenience,  you will probably have to deal with occasional drop outs, etc. while playing, even with top notch equipment.

YOU ARE DEFINITELY MISTAKEN AS THE PIONEER ELITE PD-65 CAME WITH BOTH COAXIAL AND OPTICAL. ITS OKAY TO BE WRONG AS IT IS SHOWN IN THE ARTICLE AND THE MANUAL. YOU DEFINITELY HAD A DIFFERENT MODEL UNLESS YOU NEVER OWNED ONE. ARTICLES AND MANUALS DON’T LIE, SMH