Considering the Pro-ject Box CD RS2 Transport ? You might want to read this, first.

I had the RS2 on Jr. Roller Blocks initially and had the same exact problem with opening it to insert a disc.  I switched to some Orea Carbons that I had and the problem is mostly solved (and sound good).  The sound quality is excellent so any inconvenience is well worth it.  Like another poster, I had the PS Audio Memory Player and this unit is far superior. I strongly suggest getting a linear power supply to power the unit.  I got the Mojo Illuminata and it improved the performance significantly.  The Illuminata is pricey, but Mojo is great to work with and have only high quality stuff.  The cost of the power supply plus the cost of the RS2 is still well below many transports.  Happy listening!

 I like the CEC CD5 player, full size steel case with a Hyperstream pcm dac. It uses the same transport as in the CEC TL5 transport. It is belt drive, so the noise and jitter associated with direct drive CD transports doesn't exist and as such the total electrical noise is lower than the competition. The transport is on a suspension system to reduce mechanical noise and is optimally placed in the case. There is an upgrade available to further increase the performance.

CEC makes many of the transports in players and transports and has been do so since CD's first entered the music market place in the 80's.

For more information visit Audio Union.

I hear what you are saying but I have yet to find a better transport.  I can live with the light weight if it sounds better than everything else I have compared it to.

Happy Listening.

@stuartk   Thank you for your carefully worded summary of the ergonomics of the transport. These kinds of things are important to many, but not important to some. I assure you, if I was purchasing one this would be of great importance to me. My CD player is 33 pounds and can’t be pushed around. I like that.

@nonoise69 ,

Thanks for the post/picture it is attractive.  I'm not surprised that another high level product has adopted the Stream Unlimited CD PRO-8 mechanism.  As I said before it is a first rate drive mechanism. The Pro-Ject is a terrific value to get this CD PRO-8 unit at its price. 

Charles 

@stuartk,

I’m surprised that you interpret my post like that ’initially ’. I did not dispute your assessment or concerns at all. You made valid points. My objective was to make it known that the issues you identified are IMO easily correctable. My RS2 sits solidly  atop of 3 Star Sound Audio points with the inverted brass disc.

I completely understand that the small form factor doesn’t work for you, no problem at all. I just see it as a case of a very fixable problem and then you’re left with an outstanding sounding CD transport. It may not be for everyone but I believe it represents the opportunity for many to obtain a reasonably priced very high level performing audio component. I took zero offense to your post @stuartk.

Charles

I posted about that in another thread but here it is again for those who are interested: 

https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/industry-update/aqua-la-diva-m2-cd-transport-industry-update/

It's a real looker and seems to have the performance to back it up.

All the best
Nonoise

Acoustic Quality (Aqua?) has introduced its new La Diva II transport based on the CD 8 Stream Unlimited mechanism, About half the price of the Accustic Arts but still up there.

@stereo5 

Thanks for the suggestions.

I've sworn off Chinese components.  I will either wait for the (seemingly mythical) Urd to appear or try Bryston's CDP that uses older Steam Unlimited technology.

No-- it will not equal the Pro-ject but may still best the Moon. 

I

@fuzztone:

I have no doubt that your suggestions will be utilized!  

@charles1dad:

"The Pro-ject has convinced me that a superior transport makes a significant difference". Amen brother👍"

Glad you understand me ! 

@charles1dad:

I'd have thought my original post would've clarified the fact that I'm not on a campaign to bad-mouth the product. Were it offered in a more conventionally-sized and weighted case, I'd have no complaints.  

Nevertheless, no matter how many times the Pro-ject's attributes are enumerated,  it will not change the fact that I find its ergonomics very awkward.

It occurred to me that there could be others who might have a similar experience and it's those individuals to whom the thread is addressed. 

That's all there is to it-- there's no nefarious plot to ruin its reputation and no damsel in need of rescuing, as far as I can tell. 

Mine sits on a Sorbo bed. Rock solid.

And I had a Herbie’s Black Hole that got it’s "sticky" removed by a crappy drawer loader. So I glued it to the stabilizer puck.

Voila. For $2374 delivered.

This would probably be equivalent.

@stuartk

"The Pro-ject has convinced me that a superior transport makes a significant difference". Amen brother👍

Charles

You can get the Jays transport or the Cambridge Audio one. Both are full sized and most likely won’t fall off the shelf for being light weight. I am having the same problem with my Bellari 5 band EQ. I put my unused Project Record weight on top of it to keep from falling off the shelf.

Thanks for the positive reinforcement, nonoise  ;o)

The Pro-ject has convinced me that a superior transport makes a significant difference.  

Hi @stuartk ,

Thanks for posting your experience interacting with the Pro-Ject RS2 Transport.

At 6,5 pounds the RS2T is alightweight unit compared to most CD transports. My digital cable is the High Fidelity CT-1Ultimate which is relatively heavy due to its large magnet assembly. It initially resulted in tugging/pulling on the lightweight RS2 when plugged into its rear panel.

I solved this by tapping the cable’s magnet to the shelf it sits upon, problem effectively addressed. My prior PWT transport weighs about 25 lbs so the magnet cable weight was no issue. The RS2 buttons are small but I find them easy to use nonetheless (And all functions can be managed with the nice aluminum remote control).

So for me the ergonomics and diminutive form factor are not an obstacle in any manner. Although small in its dimensions it is very solidly constructed. In operation it is dead silent and again very simple to use.

To all who have any interest in this Pro-Ject transport, know this, the sound quality it provides is utterly superb!!! As good as my P.S.Audio PWT is compared to many CD transports, the RS2T is in a class above . This is a serious uppermost tier component for those seeking ultra quality Redbook CD playback.

Major sonic performance in a small scale package. I completely understand why Gryphon Audio Ethos (37,000.00) and Accustic Arts Audio Drive II (18,000.00) selected the Stream Unlimited-blue Tiger servo card for their very top of their line models. That this marvelous drive mechanism is available through Pro-Ject for roughly 3,000.00 is genuinely admirable and surely welcomed.

Charles

Thanks for expressing your thoughts so honestly-something that's a rarity here. Like you said, you're not the only one to mention it's diminutive size, lightness and ergonomics, sonics notwithstanding (which are fantastic).

Hopefully there are other makes out there that notice the demand for a top loader that can implement the use of the StreamsUnlimited servo and reader at a more reasonable price and in a form factor that we're familiar with and used to.

All the best,
Nonoise

You're welcome, jerryg.

Interesting and thanks for the insight.