2. digital
  3. 132107-104736

looking for the best cd transport only, without dac

I have a Hegel H160 with inbuilt DAC and I'm looking for cd transport recommendation for $1000 or so. I have Harbeth SHL5 + and like an open and transparent sound. I've considered PS Audio PWT and other used options. I'm currently using my $75 Sony bluray player for transport and surprised how good it sounds. I've auditioned transports like Marantz and Cambridge. Options like Primare and Audionote I have't been able to listen to, the latter ones used to get closer to price point. There is also the Oppo 203, but wonder about quality of sound sacrifices in jack of all trades box? When I have compared the few transports I've tried the sound quality differences were quite subtle. So have people here done some serious comparisons of sound quality of just transports and have any great recommendations? Thanks
ckharbeth

Showing 6 responses by randy-11

randy-11
1,913 posts
 
I say rip it

Now Rip it
Into Shape
Shape it up
Get straight
Go forward
Move ahead
Try to detect it (jittah)
It's not too late (for phase smear)
To rip it
Rip it good
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
Yes, no mechanism by which transports could affect sonic quality and character of an audio system has been identified.

Nor are there any valid listening tests showing that they do.

So, I suggest the OP try 2 of them in a blind test and see how often he can pick one vs. the other in 20 trials.

Or... just get the Cambridge and forget about it.

Or... RIP IT


Into Shape.
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
BTW, speaker cables can alter the complex impedance, and that will alter the sound of some speakers (not Maggies, but the conehead types).

For DACs, it seems that loop currents are a major factor

also, there is RFI

...not that any of the above matters much relative to different speakers; and room treatments.
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
the checksum used for CDs ought to be good to a couple of parts per billion
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
"it doesn’t read directly off the disc"

- are there any transports that lack a buffer??
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
To the folks saying a transport makes a difference, please show us the double-blinded listening tests and the sample size.

Manf.s will make things that sell - if audiophiles suddenly develop a fetish for bubinga wood, it will be added to components whether it matters for SQ or knot.

OTOH, there is no reason NOT to get a CXC, unlike wasting money on toxic liquid metal cables.
More to discover