2. digital
  3. 159059-99436

Transport to replace my cd player

Hi Gang,I could use some advice on CD transports. I just bought a new audio-gd 7HE 2020 DAC and think the CD player I have been using as a transport may be a bottleneck in my 2 channel system. The CD player is a Cambridge Azur 851 with upgraded blue fuses and a Synchro-mesh reclocker which has been OK but I think I may get good improvement with a dedicated transport. What do you think? The rest of my system consists of a VPI Classic 4 TT, McIntosh452 amp, a McIntosh C2600 preamp and the new DAC. Admittedly I have no experience with a dedicated Transport but based on reviews only these are the transports I'm considering: Cambridge CXC, Audiolab 6000CDT, Primare DD15 and DD35, Denafrips Avatar, McIntosh MCT 450 and MCT500 and finally the JAY's audio current transport. Have you experienced any of these? Which if any would you recommend?Thanks in advance,Joe
Ag insider logo xs@2xdonpepe
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,602 posts
 
donpepe

why not another Mac to match your pre/power amps?

Happy Listening!
musichead's avatar
musichead
94 posts
 
@donpepe 

Did you receive your Jays CDT? How does it compare to the CA CXC? I'm in the same spot, considering the Jays, Project and Audio Note transports.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
donpepe OP
30 posts
 
Hi Musichead,Yes I got the Jay's  CDT mark 2, I have no regrets. I just upgraded to the Mark 3 and going through the burn in process. I just added 3 isoacoustic footers and the improvement was significant. How are you doing?Joe
musichead's avatar
musichead
94 posts
 
@donpepe I’m haven’t decided between the Jays, Project and a Audio Note transport.

Did you compare the Jays with the CXC? Is it clearly better? subjectively different? Or both? I have the CXC and it very works well with my Audio Mirror Tubadour III SE. I am shooting for something that is clearly better.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
donpepe OP
30 posts
 
@musichead I was using my Cambridge player as transport, probably very similar to the CXC. IMO the Jay's Mark 2 and 3 are a little better, much better if you put the Jay's on isoacoustic or AV room solutions footers. However, I don't know if it's thousands of dollars better. Why not buy the CDP you are interested in from a retailer that will allow you a 30 day return policy, as you know the Cambridge won't be easy to beat. If you like how your system sounds now why not stand pat?
More to discover