Looking for my "last" CD transport
Buy a reasonably priced ($1000-2000) modern transport and connect it to a Titans Audio Lab Helen digital reclocker, and you'll experience much better sonic results than connecting directly to your DAC. Disclosure: I am the North American distributor for Titans Audio Lab. It works like a modern version of Genesis Digital Lens. |
My Sony XA7ES is 23 years old. I bought this $3k new player brand new for $1000 when the local distributor cleared them out as the player was discontinued. The tray is very unique and far superior to a Phillips built tray. The player has performed perfectly since ownership and the laser works perfectly. I’m curious why new players suggested are failing with faulty lasers when my 23 year old player works perfectly? |
Also regarding new gear especially CD Players these days. Most of what is available as a high end transport or a CD Player are pretty much throw away items. This is what our world is coming to. From retail to being a year old, they drop out of the bottom. They remind me of the Auto Industry. To me I don’t get wrapped up in that new technology is better. The question is to who it is better for. To me it’s better for the company or the industry because they get to make more money on us poor souls. If you feel you have to keep up with the Jones, have at it. If you desire a true value with some reliability and proven reputation, don’t limit yourself to just new unless you feel like donating money. You will end up back on the forum complaining how blew cash. My suggestion is make sure you’re you do your research and pick what’s best for you. Don’t end up like the folks who are obsessed with televisions when technology changes every 6 months and believe me, not for the better as a consumer. I hope this helps. |
I think this is easy if you can handle the weight. Sony SCD-1 factory or Modified by Modwright. https://www.google.com/search?q=Sony+SCD-1+modified.&rlz=1CDGOYI_enUS630US823&oq=Sony+SCD-1+... Another is the Pioneer Elite DV-09. Fully Coppered inside. https://www.stereophile.com/features/140/index.html |
Many years ago i ran my Krell KPS 25c through a fairly expensive DVD. The sound was devastatingly bad. I can't dive in to details, but it was shocking! This is something i think of when i use my current transport. Can't stop wondering if a really sturdy transport would give a serious lift or just cost money. |
I think it makes sense to choose a product from a brand that still believe and support the format : Accuphase, Esoteric, C.E.C, Gryphon, Audio Note(UK), etc. I am happy to see quite a few. Some just keep a player to add a few sales but their interest is long gone, how can you expect a great product ? I also believe that CD playing is here to stay, It's a good thing ! |
Purchased a Jay’s CDT2 MKIII about a month ago, it replaced a Pioneer Elite PD-95 transport and it is significantly better. I also purchased a spare Philips laser from them for $300. Tried the Audiolab first and returned it, the Pioneer being just over 20 years old was much better and again the Jay’s is superior to the PD-95. |
I saw this, yesterday, and noticed the low price. It comes from Denmark and here's the link; https://tangent-audio.com/products/9-electronics/165-tangent-cd-ii/ All the best, Nonoise |
Hello, There are quite a few Transports available. Take a look at Audio Note(UK). State of the Art . They cover different price ranges. They stand behind the product and you will always have a transport to last. I have the CDT-4 right here. I will probably sell mine to move up in the range. CD playing is here to stay. |
Speaking of Esoteric take a look at this vintage one at TMR and review. https://tmraudio.com/components/cd-sacd-players/esoteric-p-0-cd-transport-p0-remote-100v/ |
jnovak: I see that you had a problem with Esoteric after buying a used piece. They have a 3-year warranty on all equipment. And the cost of shipping can be avoided-- there are many cheaper options. What about PS Audio? They sold their Directstream Memory Players for $6,000 using a Oppo transport mechanism. Oppo gets out of the business-- and PS Audio owners are out of luck. Esoteric makes their own mechanism, which means that they can fix it. Did your Esoteric repair cost you $3,500-- or as you posted on another thread-- $350? Anyway-- you buy a Ferrari, you pay a lot for maintenance and repairs. Buy a cheap player, and you can just trash it when it stops working. |
Hi fred60. Not a typo. Most Esoteric players need to go to Japan as that's where the "alignment jig" is kept. They did start a service whereas you can send your player to TAP Electronics in Ca. and they will remove the transport and send it alone to Japan. Still, this all in all will be costly. The thing that's crazy with this is; Esoteric is supposed to make a fantastic transport. Much has been touted about it's greatness. Looking at the past 20 years though, I'd say much cheaper transports have faired just as well and for a fraction of the price! |
Unless you're only planning on living for another 10 years, there is no such thing as a final CD transport. It's the most mechanical component you can buy for your rig. I can't think of one company who will have you covered for repairs 20 years down the road. Oh yes, Esoteric fixes them BUT, are you ready to send your unit to Japan and shell out $3500.00? You would think a company like Sony could manage to make and support a great CD transport or player. Yes and no. Large companies like Sony only support any given unit for 10 years. Then, you can heave it in the dumpster. Krell players in the day were great. I had a 20i. Not long after it's debut, the transports were discontinued by Phillips. Krells plan then was to have the players shipped to the Netherlands for repair. Again, not worth the price. I presently only a PS Audio transport. It is quirky like an old computer. When those transports are gone, it's Chuck U. Farley. I think the best option is to but a cheap transport and be happy. |
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Don’t get a used transport unless you’re willing to trash it if parts are unavailable. I saw a YouTube video for the Primare transport - where they mentioned TEAC is still making CD transport mechanisms that are used in cars (for the ones that still have them) - these are the single-slot feed ones, like the Leak transport - and companies who use this mechanism should be stocked up with replacements if they’re smart. I also read that you can buy a spare laser from Jay’s Audio if you buy one of theirs. Definitely fact check me on all of this. |
There are a myriad of choices-- but I haven't auditioned them, so you'd have to do that yourself. No SACD: Jays Audio CDT2-MK3 $2400 Denafrips Avatar N/A Pro-Ject CD Box RS2 T $2999 Primare DD35 $2295 Primare DD15 $1495 Simaudio 260D $2300 Nuprime CDT-10 $1895 Nuprime CDT-8 $849 SACD: Esoteric P-05X $10,000 PS Audio Perfectwave SACD Transport $6500 McIntosh MCT500 $5000 McIntosh MCT450 $4000 The PS Audio, McIntosh and Esoteric all have proprietary links between their transport and their own brand DAC that allows for pure DSD. Used (SACD):PS Audio Directstream Memory Player $3000? (new $6000). This player uses Oppo drives, so if it fails you are out of luck. The new Perfectwave uses D&M (Denon & Marantz) drives, so if they fail, it can always be replaced. As others mentioned-- Marantz has a transport, so does Cambridge Audio. I looked at a bunch-- and have come to the conclusion that I won't be able to do any better than what will be arriving later this year: Esoteric K-07XD, or the Esoteric K-05XD. SACD players with phenomenal DACs. K-07XD Probably around $7500, and the K-05XD $8500? 2-1-in. Many digital inputs to use the internal DAC, including a USB. That way I avoid having to buy both a transport and a DAC. The transport is arguably one of the best in the world. And the new "XD" versions of Esoteric players are at another level vs. earlier Esoteric players. Read the reviews of the K-01XD and the K-03XD, which came out in late 2019. Esoteric confirmed to me that a K-05XD and a K-07XD will be available by the end of this year. |
I recently bought a vintage Meridian 598, supposed to be the best cd/dvd player they ever made. It was in fine shape. The sound quality was much better than my $300 Sony. However, I bought it with the realization that it could go out at any moment, and I would not be able to fix it. I just enjoy it while it works. It was priced so that I can walk away and feel I got my money's worth. |
I know this will sound crazy to some, but I recently purchased the Brennan B2. I have ripped all of my cd's and this thing is amazing! I have it connected via optical to a Schiit Bifrost 2 as my DAC and not only do I have access to all of my cd's (well over 300), they sound AMAZING (the Brennan rips to WAV then converts to FLAC)! The Brennan was truly life changing for me (LOL). I can now listen to any song on any cd with the tap of a finger through the Brennan app on my iPhone..It's friggin beautiful man:) |
If budget is limited: AUDIOLAB CDT 6000 or the nearly identical LEAK CDT. I purchased the AUDIOLAB a few weeks ago, to replace a faulty CAMBRIDGE CXC; the SQ of the AUDIOLAB is so much better. Bass is more punchy and more extended. The LEAK has the same slot laser (made by JVC) as the AUDIOLAB. Both brands are owned by IAG. The LEAK has also an USB input, but unfortunately no FLAC nor DSD. |
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Just got my Jay’s, a month ago. Very impressed...didn’t have to use my imagination to hear the difference. First disk I played, I was startled....was not expecting that much difference. And as a previous uniformed poster reported “bit is bits” hasn’t a clue what a precision transport and laser can do. The Jay’s weight over 30 pounds and it sure isn’t bricks in side. This is not a laser and transport out of a $100 player.... |
"Bits are bits"... That is a golden nugget from the 80's. Thing is it wasn't true then either. In the last five years I have used a few transports & hear a difference with each one. For example; Cambridge (their latest) was bright & kind of harsh in my system until I put it on Isoacoustic feet Pioneer Stable plater (via one of there elite models) was very nice but still had a slight edge to it. Build quality is excellent. Woo Audio is the most natural sounding transport I've heard in my system. Lacks some of the detail I get with the Pioneer stable platter though. It will not be my final transport, but is the best all around transport I've heard so far. Note that all of the above were used with the same DAC (Audio Alchemy's last production model before selling to Elac) Op, sorry for sidetracking your thread. None of the above are final transports. |
I can’t guarantee what you’ll hear from any transport but sadly, I’ve found that there are sonic differences when I listen to those in my home connected to the same DAC. My favorite is an older PS Audio PWT, which I don’t think they sell anymore but are available used and PS Audio told me they’d look at mine recently when I thought I had a problem (turns out to be something I could do myself). I have a TASCAM CD player as a back up which feels solid and sounds good too, just not as good as the PWT when used as a transport, ditto an ancient Rotel that refuses to die as a player. As always, YMMV but I don’t buy the "all transports do is deliver the same bits" argument anymore. Wish it was not so. |
nepfotos OP Peter, it’s more likely the dac that not doing your Redbook pcm CD conversion in the best way. To play CD’s (which are pcm redbook) the dac needs to do it "bit perfect" that can’t happen with a Delta Sigma ESS dac, it can only give a facsimile of PCM Beg, demo, borrow, or steal a good R2R Ladder dac and see for your self. Cheers George |
