Is the NuPrime CDT 9 Pro a Best Kept Secret?

NUPRIME. has AES and i2 outputs.  using a OPPO 103 as a transport now.  

I have the latest Jay's Audio CD transport.  Built like a tank is an accurate description.  Sonics are superb, especially thru the I2S output.  Highly recommended.  Cheap? No.  

The Nuprime CDT-8 uses a Sony KHM-313AAM laser mechanism.

FYI, I now have Machina Dynamica New Dark Matter inside my cd tray. It is universal to all disc media spinners (see his white paper)

I have tried all kinds of tweaks to improve cd sound; edge cutting, black pen, green pen, cryoed green pen, freezing discs, and a prior MD product that was glued onto the tray I believe it was called Code Name Turquoise  None of them comes close to NDM! If you've held out, this is what you were waiting for

The musical clarity far exceeds its' modest one time price of $39

A bunch of us got together and compared the NuPrime Transport to an old Rega Apollo. For overall musicality, the Rega was an easy winner. The Nu had a slightly more detailed sound but for listening pleasure, the Rega was hands down better in that department. The NuPrime ws sent back and the person purchased an old Sim Audio Moon CDP for now.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Happy Listening.

REALLY!!!
You have to make sure the ac mains fuse is in the right way around though

Look at his avatar a voodoo doll, and that's what he preaches! 
https://www.stereophile.com/images/user_account_pictures/picture-8619-1455903392.jpg

And his site, well it speaks for itself. http://www.machinadynamica.com/index.html

Jason of NuPrime said the laser and transport assembly are Sony designs.

Unless model no. of the laser is reveled, to see if it's easily available for replacement. 
I wouldn't recommend it or the Jay to anyone, because you could be buying a future lemon.

Adding a Titans Audio Lab Helen to a CD transport will significantly improve the performance.

For those of you using the Jay transport what are you referring to when you say that it's built like a tank?  What are you referring to?   What comparisons to other transports in similar price range?   How did it differ from the CEC models?   Thanks

Celander or anyone, Is the remote for the CDP 9 the same as he transport? 

Jason of NuPrime said the laser and transport assembly are Sony designs. 

FYI there's a CDT 8 for sale on U AudioMart $680

Not in anyone's lifetime I'm afraid. Your stuck with finding a PEA1030 getting extinct, this is the last one on ebay. 

 https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Pioneer-PEA1030-PNP1138-B-laser-head-WADIA-CARY/253869509734?hash=item3b...

https://www.ksp-electronics.com/en/product/view/18265-pea1030

How interchangeable are these laser/sleds/assemblies? Wondering if a generic one would fit in my Pioneer PD 65

Well, the guy seems thorough. I absolutely love mine with my dac10, so much that I’ve ordered an evo DAC!

Just came across this NuPrime Pro 8/Dac 9 review today. hth

http://www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/nuprime_cdt8_dac9_e.html

Yes, and few turntables got repaired. QED

Yep. LP playback was also declared dead circa 1982, the dawn of “perfect sound forever.”

I have a node 2 streamer and a huge cd collection that I will not sell.

my personal preferences are entirely separable from the market trend. 

+1  celander  no rational to his thinking.

I absolutely love the cdt 8.

By all means please send it my way instead of throwing it out when it starts to skip.

Cheers George

Not sure why someone would even buy a Redbook CD player—let alone a Redbook CD transport and Redbook DAC—if they believe Redbook CD playback is a dying and soon to be dead medium. Why bother wasting the money? Just buy a streaming device and be done with it. 

Jay’s Audio CDT3 uses a different Philips laser transport mechanism from the CDT2. 

You impute beliefs to me I don’t hold and confuse the issue.  Cd is a dying and soon to be dead medium. At its height, of course more owners would want devices repaired, but as the medium dies, owners will decline and lose interest in repairs. This is not metaphysics. 

Well, your basic assumption is that people will want them repaired. This is a declining truth.

So are you saying this CDt3 is a throw away item when the laser starts to skip?
NO WAY do would anyone I know throw them out, if they don’t get them repaired they’re be usually sold off faulty, an these are the ones to get cheap "if you have or can get the laser".

I ask you if your Linn Sondek LP12 or similar had a burnt out motor, in say 1995 when cd was well entrenched, would you not get it fixed or would you have thrown it out?

Cheers George

Well, your basic assumption is that people will want them repaired. This is a declining truth. 

Or, more likely cd transports and players will decline in numbers and the parts will simply sit on eBay.

I replace laser or mechs in many cdp's, you have no idea just how many now are unobtainium to get new, for many $5K-$20k CDP's eg: flagship models from Wadia, Mark Levinson, Naim ect ect.

So if they're available now new for this CDT-3, for $100 get em now before your transport becomes a boat anchor, because of a bad laser, that may also become unobtainium new.   
Cheers George  

Or, more likely cd transports and players will decline in numbers and the parts will simply sit on eBay. 

Meanwhile, I’m enjoying my cdt 8 pro and dac10. 

Got a message from Jay’s Audio US Rep. wrong currency price quote. Philips CDM-4 laser price is $100 + $50 S/H from China.

The CDM-4 is only $42 for the whole Mech and laser with free post
https://www.ebay.com/itm/CDM4-19-Black-Optical-Pick-Up-Laser-Lens-Mechanism-Replacement-Parts-pk/173...


If this CDT-3-MK2  transport uses the CDM-4Pro mech/laser
  
Then this laser or whole mech is getting very hard to find, and if Jay's Audio is offering a brand "new" laser for $100 + $50 or post.
I suggest all owners of the transport to get one and put it away for when you may need it. Because "new" they are going to sky rocket in price. Or if you sell the CDT-3 in the future it's good to be able to supply a spare laser as a selling tool. Or you could sell just the laser in the future for a profit. 
 https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=%22cdm4Pro%22&_sacat=0...   

Cheers George

Got a message from Jay’s Audio US Rep. wrong currency price quote. Philips CDM-4 laser price is $100 + $50 S/H from China.

Which, applied here, means....

I absolutely love the cdt 8. 

If the transport isn’t a Phillips, it’s fine. Soon, the used market will be flooded, should I need another transport. 

The problem for small concerns (Nuprime) is the high cost of inventory that doesn't rotate. And, unless they buy volume they don't get a discount, plus shipping... 

The Jay’s Audio folks want $200 (S/H included) for the laser. Sounds like a rip-off to me. I’ve seen eBay listings for a generic Philips CDM-4 laser from $50 to $100. 

Looking at the way it's orientated from pics I doubt you'll see the makers sticker, better chance from underneath, but the mech would have to be taken out to see that angle 15min job 4 screws and 2 x ribbon/power connectors.

Cheers George 

Anyone can pop the hood of their CDT-8 Pro and discover the brand/model of the laser transport mechanism. It isn’t like NuPrime can encapsulate it in a wax block like M&K did with their electronics back in the 1970’s. 

CDT2, MK2 can be obtained for $350

What about just the laser, as the mechs usually out last 3 x lasers 

No word from Jason of NuPrime Audio about what Brand/Model transport/laser assembly mechanism is in the CDT-8 Pro.

If there’s no word, they don’t want it reviled for some reason or another.

Cheers George

Word from my Jay’s Audio contacts is that the Philips CDM-4 transport/laser assembly mechanism for the CDT2, MK2 can be obtained for $350, including shipping. 

No word from Jason of NuPrime Audio about what Brand/Model transport/laser assembly mechanism is in the CDT-8 Pro. 

I think the point attempting to be made here is the eventual breakdown/obsolescence of ALL transport/cd players. My Pioneer PD 65 lasted a solid 10 years, so, IMO it's all good 

So "IF" a CDT 8/9 lasts 10 years, seems like a reasonable cost. 

Hopefully, some company advances the lower tech laser sleds to keep spinners available for decades to come

In the last 6 months I had to replace front suspension wishbones,, radiator, turbo, tires, various water hoses... @ ~ $5K fto keep my 2014 Saab 9-5 running

There is NO new car I WOULD buy that brings me the joy of ownership that I could afford.. FYI, it's my 5th Saab

Well, I absolutely love my cdt 8. If it is as you imply, all I can say is that it works like a dream, it loads very fast, and upsampling works very well for me. 

No proof that the Sanyo mechanism is in the CDT-8 Pro

that’s why I said "Getting closer" that it may get them to deny it and maybe give the real one.
But if you look closely at the tray and mech on here and the other thread I started, the part of the laser that can be seen and the bottom shots of the laser rack, look very similar to a cheap dvd laser.

Cheers George

The Philips laser servo controller chip is likely compatible with a lot of laser mechanisms. No proof that the Sanyo mechanism is in the CDT-8 Pro. 

Getting closer, this Shanling uses the SAA7824HL that goes with it laser the Sanyo HD850
https://www.ebay.com.au/i/122687604397?chn=ps

http://www.shanling.com/Product/Detail?id=5cc95aa4df554b39afcace68e1592a6a

Cheers George

Also does anyone know if this Nuprime makes the Schiit Gungnir click on Pause?

Yes, that was already identified by @celander back on page 1.  I've now identified the tray and clamper.  So far everything is Philips-sourced.

If the laser is the same it's the Philips SAA7824HL laser

That is not a laser, it's a laser controller chip.

Cheers George

👍🏻

See 6moons current review of the Jays Audio CDT Mk II review. It shows all the Philips lasers, including the new one, which they now use

Alas, it's $1999 (paid by check), so double the CDT 8 price, which I was not willing to extend myself for

So far the Marantz HD CD 1 is fantastic, and at MSRP $600, quite the bargain

Check out this review:
https://headfonics.com/2018/06/nuprime-cdp-9-review/
If the laser is the same it's the Philips SAA7824HL laser