Of six transports, the CXC was the worst. Thin sounding, light in the bass area, bad remote, clean but sterile sounding. No front footers, just a strip of plastic-yuk! Okay construction but not worth $600. Better to purchase an old Sony CD esd or Denon DVD player for their transports through coax.
Simaudio 260D - As transport
Since I have digital Mcintosh digital pre with an excellent internal DAC I am considering to upgrade my Cambridge Audio CXC with Simudio 260D transport without the optional DAC .
Can you advise how is the 260D as a transport ? Will I notice a substantial improvement compare to my CXC ?
The 260D transport without the optional DAC won’t have the digital in connections only the out ones ?
The CXC had no issues with hybrid CDs
Is it the same with the 260D or it can read only red book format?
Can you advise how is the 260D as a transport ? Will I notice a substantial improvement compare to my CXC ?
The 260D transport without the optional DAC won’t have the digital in connections only the out ones ?
The CXC had no issues with hybrid CDs
Is it the same with the 260D or it can read only red book format?
17 responses Add your response
Just received today the Simaudio 260DT (transport version only) first nothing special but after an hour operation... oh my god... the soundstage became huge, massive dynamics,excellent separation and transparency.Everything is more natural and effortless. Heavy CD and the build quality is extraordinary. Completely in different league than my old Cambridge CXC ! |
The latest version of the Synchro-Mesh directly measures 8psec of jitter, and that is measured at the end of my 4-foot Standard BNC cable across a 75 ohm termination: https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=157348.0 What is the jitter measurement of the Simaudio transport at the end of a coax cable? Ani - another mod is available BTW. Steve N. Empirical Audio |
@itzhak1969
I added it because to my ears it clearly sounds more organic and natural (less digital). While the Simaudio might have low jitter, it still has it. Keep in mind the reclocker uses a better clock which is its main purpose. I am not a technical person really, I use my ears to judge. |
Well I llke CD's in my Simaudio :) However I enjoy the sound very much. Its very well balanced from top to bottom. I use the transport only (no dac) and its plugged into a Empirical Audio Reclocker. Then that goes to a dedicated Dac. Very well built and reliable. I have had it for almost 2 years now. |
I had the choice to buy demo unit of CEC TL 5 or a new Simaudio 260DT (the transport without the dac) after checking at other local forums on my country I realized that the CEC tend to be too bright and analytical while the Simaudio has more natural presentation so decided to order the 260DT . The dealer is expecting the unit to arrive on July . Did someone had the chance to compare this two units ? |
You will get better jitter performance by adding a reclocker to your current transport. The ONLY thing that matters with a transport is jitter, nothing else. Here is the effect of the Synchro-Mesh with a typical transport: http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=154408.0 Customers feedbacks: http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=154039.0 http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=106328.0 It is also critical to use at least a 1.25m S/PDIF cable, and the best cable you can afford. Here are some cable jitter comparisons: http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=154425.0 Steve N. Empirical Audio |