Congrats on the new transport, the AN CT2 will be a perfect pairing for the AN Dac-5!
CD Transport to pair with Audio Note DAC 5 - suggestions?
Here's the question: Is there anyone out there with experience with an Audio Note DAC who can recommend a CD Transport that would go well with it? The budget is $3-$4K. There are many fine CDT's out there - I'm looking specifically for one that would complement an Audio Note DAC5. For more background, read on...
I recently bought a used AN DAC5 and in my system and to my ears, it's been nothing short of transformative.
For streaming I paired it with a DCS Network Bridge and I'm very happy with the combo.
For CD's I've been using a TRI CDP as a transport through the DAC5. It sounds really nice - better than expected - but I'm thinking about upgrading to a dedicated transport. The DAC5 just processes Redbook files, so I don't need a CDT that spins SACD or anything else. I'm trying to keep the price under $3-4000 and I'm ok with buying used.
The Audio Note CDT 3 or even the CDT 2/ii would be a no-brainer for complementing the DAC5 but the price new is way out of budget, and I rarely see them used.
Jay's Audio CDT2-MK2 - I've read all the positive reviews out there and at under $2500, I'm intrigued. But also have no idea how it would play with the AN DAC.
Any ideas, suggestions?
I recently bought a used AN DAC5 and in my system and to my ears, it's been nothing short of transformative.
For streaming I paired it with a DCS Network Bridge and I'm very happy with the combo.
For CD's I've been using a TRI CDP as a transport through the DAC5. It sounds really nice - better than expected - but I'm thinking about upgrading to a dedicated transport. The DAC5 just processes Redbook files, so I don't need a CDT that spins SACD or anything else. I'm trying to keep the price under $3-4000 and I'm ok with buying used.
The Audio Note CDT 3 or even the CDT 2/ii would be a no-brainer for complementing the DAC5 but the price new is way out of budget, and I rarely see them used.
Jay's Audio CDT2-MK2 - I've read all the positive reviews out there and at under $2500, I'm intrigued. But also have no idea how it would play with the AN DAC.
Any ideas, suggestions?
21 responses Add your response
My search is over! After narrowing the list down to the Jay's and CEC transports, I came across a gently used Audio Note CDT2/II in great condition at the same price as the CEC, and bought it on the spot. So, a happy ending for me: I ended up with the AN transport I wanted from the start, well within budget. Thanks again for all the great advice and suggestions! |
Sparkler Audio makes a very good transport. I’m using my s503 CD player as a transport and the results are fantastic. Best trans I ever had was a highly modified 47 Labs FLatfish. Wish I never got rid of it but the audio bug bit and... http://www.sparkler-audio.com/portfolio/S503_en.html |
One of my favorite reviewers Christian Punter as Hifi Advice also gave the Jay's a very good review: https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/review/digital-reviews/cd-player-reviews/jays-audio-cdt-2mk2-and-da... |
Hey teajay - I read that Six Moons review a couple months ago - my first introduction to the Jay's transport. I reread it, carefully, after seeing your post this a.m. Great article: a thorough review of the CDT2-mk2, an informative Enco/Phillips history and an interesting discussion of file formats and sample rates. Hard to ask for more! Great to hear you were the person Srajan quoted - your comparison of the Jay's with the CEC is incredibly helpful, since at this point those are my two leading candidates. Decisions, decisions... |
I will echo Larry's comments on Lector I've heard their standalone cd player and also their Dac both were excellent at the same dealer Larry mentions. They may have fewer reviews but worth checking out for sure I didn't think about them making a transport but it appears they do. http://www.lector-audio.com/011.htm |
Hey mpsharkie, Right now I have in-house a CEC double belt transport and the Jay’s Audio transport MK-II. As I have stated on other threads here on AudioGon the Jay’s has the liquidity and ease of the belt driven transport, and adds more transparency/details, better overall dynamics/bass, and is more open/airy in it’s soundstaging abilities. Also, its build quality is on a higher level and its reasonable priced. It’s a killer piece! I’m going through a run right now, regarding professionally reviewing DACs, which includes DACs very close in design to your DAC5 and the Jay’s Audio drives them superlatively. If you go to Six Moons website you could look at Srajan’s review on the Jay’s Audio transport which will give you many details regarding its performance and you will also see he quotes me regarding details of all the other transports I have had and why I now use the Jay’s Audio as my reference. Because, of how much information he shares of my experience and that I agree totally with his conclusions I never wrote my own review for whom I was writing for at that time. |
Great ideas here, thanks. I'm really liking what I'm reading about the CEC belt drive transports. The reviews echo what Jond and Letch said about the sound being natural, fluid, analogue-like. Could go very nicely with the DAC5! I must admit I never heard about Lector or Denafrips transports. I can't find much by way of reviews for either, but given its reputation for their DACs,, the Denafrips Avatar could be the value of the year! Larryi - thinking about your point about the downside of buying a used transport, that's really good advice. Thanks, I decided to go with new! |
I wish I could speak to your Audio Note DAC. FWIW, I recently I decided to upgrade out of a CDP and go transport and DAC. I bought a used CEC TL5 and bought the Mhdt Orchid. I was trying to elevate my CD's to something approaching my analog front end. I bought these two components after extensive reading and because both were associated with the idea of an analog-like reproduction scheme.
I've heard a lot of various digital attempts over the years but this is easily the most...natural sound I've heard from my CD's. So, seconding the CEC recommendation. |
mpsharkie Cambridge Audio's CXC best bang for buck you'll find. https://www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/cambridge_cxc_e.html Cheers George |
All transports have a rather limited life, particularly the lasers, but also the moving parts that have to spin the disc at high speeds. When buying used, it is hard to determine what remaining life you are purchasing, so I would be a bit hesitant to buy a used transport for the kind of money you are looking to drop, unless there is some assurance that critical parts can be replaced. Some of the best transport mechanisms, such as Philips CD Pro 2, are no longer made, so if your used machine runs one of those, you need to know if the manufacturer will still supply replacements (some have stocked up on them for servicing customers). My local Audio Note dealer also sells Lector CD players. I don't know if he uses the Lector as a transport for Audio Note DACs as well, but, the Lector player sounds quite good and Lector makes a stand-alone transport (it looks like they use the Philips CD Pro 2 transport). |
Denafrips, which makes highly regarded DACs has come out with a CDT for around $1200.00 https://www.denafrips.com/avatar All the best, Nonoise |
