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Reference Transports: An overall perspective

Teajay did a great job by starting a threat called "Reference DACS: An overall perspective."
I thought it might be beneficial to start a similar thread on transports.
Unfortunately I really have nothing much to say; I just hoped to get the ball rolling.

I'll start by throwing out a few names and a question:

Zanden 2000
CEC TL-0X
Metronome Kalista; T2-i Signature; and T2-A
Esoteric P-01; and P-03(?)
EMM Labs CDSD
47Labs PiTracer
Weiss Jason
Accustic Arts Drive 1
Ensemble Dirondo
Wadia 270se

I know that there are very few companies that actually make the drives themselves. The few I know about are:
Philips
TEAC
Sanyo/CEC

Do the various Philips drives or the TEAC VRDS transport mechanism each have a particular sonic signature regardless of which maunufacturer uses them in their designs?
exlibris

Showing 2 responses by ubglub

ubglub
76 posts
 
Teajay, who is the manufacturer of the ML-31.5 that you mentioned? thnks
ubglub
76 posts
 
I've heard that the current problem with CD transports is that one or two companies have a monopoly on the production of the requisite laser mechanisms, which are poorly made and have a high rate of failure. Due to this lack of options even the best gear ends up having to employ cheap lasers. Furthermore, the manufacturer changes the laser design every year. Therefore, someone building a transport needs to buy a huge backstock of the lasers all at once in order to be able to offer a warrantee service, and also factor in the cost and problems associated with repairing many failed units.
Is there someone knowledgeable who can comment on this?
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