SLOT LOADING CD MECHANISMS - DO THE DAMAGE CD'S?


Of recent, I have been considering the purchase of a new CD transport (no DAC). There are several that have caught my attention; - - one in particular is made by AUDIOLAB. The one factor that leaves me "hanging", conceptually speaking, is the fact that AUDIOLAB exclusively uses "slot loading" CD mechanisms.
I have owned a couple of good quality CD players employing this type mechanism, and in both cases, eventually discovered marring to the playing surface of the CD. I am fanatic about proper preservation of CD playing surfaces. I certainly don’t want more CD’s ending up in the garbage can. (and I don’t like polishing, making a bad situation, worse !)

In turn, I have read many articles and customer reports complaining of the same issue. I consider AUDIOLAB products to be of a quality and performance level that leaves me somewhat dumbfounded as to why they would employ the use of a questionable mechanism that has so many historic issues.
So, what have they done that would be any different than other companies using this concept? I can’t imagine that they would invest the R&D money to develop their own proprietary mechanism.
Anyone out there that can validify the credibility (or lack of) AUDIOLAB’S use of "slot loading ?. Direct experience would help the most.
axpert

Showing 3 responses by sfxjura

@bkeske

Thank you,

What Amp do you have? Is Denafrips Ares 2 going to be much better than the DAC in 6000A? I might give it a try...EU dealer told me I even have 14 days trial period.

I mainly plan to listen CD’s through 6000cdt.

I found out whats the problem. Its not that slot mechanism is making scratches...entrance is very narrow, so if CD is tilted a bit down when going in, the lower part of the entrance scratches it...im thinking to add some thin tape on lower part of the entrance or I’ll just have to be more careful (tilt cd a bit upwards when inserting). Hope I helped...enjoy your 6000cdt :))

Hi, 

I see in one of your replies that you mention Denafrips DAC and Im just about to buy one, that is..I’m thinking if I should buy Bifrost 2 or Denafrips Ares 2...still reading reviews etc. but leaning towards Denafrips. I have Audiolab 6000A and Klipsch rp 600M, I also plan to upgrade speakers in the future. Can you please tell me more about Denafrips, which one do you have etc. This is my first system so I’m still exploring.

Thank you :)