Richard, can you tell us about the CDP-R3?
Thanks
Mark |
Ubglub, the company that built the 31.5 transport was Mark Levinson, as far as I can tell they no longer offer this piece. The production of this reference and highly regarded transport ended about five years ago. It sold for $10000.00 new and be gotten for around $3500.00 to $4300.00 on the used market. Built like a Rolls Royce it still would hold its own with current reference transports regarding performance/sonics. |
Yes...and Victor. My XL-Z900 has one of the finest transports ever. It is the same as the one used on the Reimyo 777 copy...it is japan only!
So are the Sony R-series...far better than any ES series units...also japan only. They have super expensive fixed point pickup assemblies.
I have the CDP-R10 and CDP-R3...very rare and wonderful players that hold their own against the worlds best. The R10 is in the top few ever....built in less than 100 units for Sony top executives.
Richard |
Teajay, who is the manufacturer of the ML-31.5 that you mentioned? thnks |
Henry,
You are right about the transports but some would say that Accuphase, Zanden, Kondo, Goto, and ALE and do a pretty good job in some of those other categories as well. As you said, 'there are exceptions.' |
Is it just me? A disproportionate amount or % of the very best transports seem to be from Japan in origin...steadfast dedication to mechanical engineering & craftsmanship? Zanden, Esoteric, 47 Lab, etc. I don't think we can say the same for SS amps, DACs or speakers though of course there are the exceptions. Or am I just imagining things? |
Anyone know what transport sounds good with Zanden DACs (other than the Zanden 2000 transport, of course)? |
Dan - very interesting. Would love to be there!
Will check out the reports on the show asap. Will try out the CD1 asap.
Richard |
Exlibris, I believe Mgottlieb uses a Teac X-01 as a transport connected to a DCS stack. He prefers the Teac transport over the DCS Verdi. But I'd rather let him comment about sonic differences. |
Richard-
Just got a CES report from my friends at the show, they
said the CD1 in the LyngdorfAudio room was the best sounding room at the show. They also said the build quality
was outstanding.
FYI- the CD1 has upsampling and can function as a CDP or transport. The DAC portion is turned off when used as a transport. - Dan |
Do the TEAC VRDS units have a particular sound?
I know that the TEAC digital products themselves have a 'house sound' but I'm wondering if anyone has used one of these tranpsorts with a DAC that is not made by TEAC.
Also, do these transports upsample the signal before they send it on to a DAC? |
In the Teac lineup, besides the stratospherically priced P01, you may want to look at the redbook only P70. You should be able to find used P70 transports for just under $4K. Its VRDS mechanism is extremely similar to that used in X-01. |
Hi,
Have heard about the CD1 only by reputation...certainly sounds nice and will be a nice synergy. May try it out.
Richard |
Richard-
Agree on the Denon DP-S1, with ST glass it was wonderful.
I'd add the Esoteric P-0 clocked the G-O, and the last of the Theta Redbooks, the Jade.
FYI, the CD1 is made by LyngdorfAudio, not TacT. Where did you hear it? - Dan |
"The interesting little feature" (upsampling in the transport) that Teajay mentions on the Ensemble Dirondo Drive, also eliminates the need for a "clock sync" cable. This seperate "clock sync" is something that is found on some of the best (at least to my ears) digital combos.
Note that I'm an Ensemble dealer.
Mike |
Hi there,
They definitely contribute to the sonic signature..they are fundemental to it!
My favourite transports (that i own) are all proprietary. They are also some of the best ever:
1. Sony CDP-R10 (less than 100 made for sony top brass)
2. Victor XL-Z900 (Harmonix Reimyo 777)
3. CEC TL-1
4. Denon DP-S1
5. Esoteric DV-50S
Would love to hear the Esoteric X-01....i will dream for a year i think.
I'm simplifying down now...just a transport running into a TACT TDA2200 digital amp....works wonders.
I also heard the new TACT CD1 is an amazing machine...
Enjoy!!! the music!!!
Richard |
As Khaki8 mentions, Audio Note has a new line of transports in the process of being developed and released. It includes three new units - the CDT Two II which has been out for a few moinths, the CDT Three which is just out (according to Peter Q), and the CDT Four which will be released later this year. I think they all use a new Philips Pro mechanism, but I don't know a model number.
I use an original CDT Two, and I'm investigating the Three for use with my AN DAC. I suspect the Four will be pretty spendy. |
Don't forget the Empirical Audio modded Sony DVP7700. Yes, it's a modified DVD player, but the jitter signature is one of the lowest you will see, and after mods it is a true worldbeater. Built like a tank with a true copper chassis too.
Enjoy,
Bob |
I have had in my rig the following transports: 1) CEC-TL1 It sounded wonderfully smooth with great liquidity but lacked dynamics and deep bass. 2) ML-31.5 Very detailed, dynamic, great bass, and was very smooth but not warm sounding like the CEC transport. 3) Ensemble Dirondo Offers very good details/dynamics with a smooth/easy over all sonic signature. It also offers an interesting feature that it will upsample to 24/96 the bit stream before it gets to the DAC, which sometimes will improve the sonics of the DAC, even if the DAC is an upsampling design.
So, I'm convinced that transports do have sonic signatures, and that belt driven transports have a different signature, I also have heard extensively the CEC TL-0, then the non belt transports. |
The new Audio Note transports deserve consideration. I own the new CDT 2 and it is much better than the CEC TL2X that I had modified by Reference Audiomods. |
Sony and Pioneer also manufacture transport mechanisms. |
