transport questions

I have an old Theta Data II coupled with DS Pro Basic IIIa.  It has served me well for 20+years and a sound I have grown to love.
The Data has an odd problem where it will play a disc for about 20 minutes and then stop sending the digital signal to the D/A. Theta wont service it and as a quick fix i had an old Rotel DVd1080 in another room I substituted. Without switching between the 2 I think the Rotel is less deep and separated than the Theta.  Am I just too accustomed to the sound that I think the Rotel sounds worse...or it the Rotel as good or better (warmer)

I am also taking suggestions for a replacement transport used in the $500-900 range