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transport w best detail retrieval and 'weight'

OK- here we go- I have the new Audio Note 3.1 Balanced (transformer-coupled output) Dac (it's great!), and am searching for a transport. I had an older Teac Esoteric P1, and liked the 'weighty' sound (the VRDS clamping system I am a big fan of). I sold it and picked up the Audio Note CDT-II due to the reviews and b/c I have the Audio Note Dac- what a mistake! Unit was very lightweight, and so was the impact. Yes- resolution was OK, and low noise floor was great, but it just didn't have the 'weight' to the sound that the Teac-based units (includes Wadia) have. I am considering the Wadia 270 and the Spectral SDR 3000 transports (both use versions of the Esoteric VRDS clamping system). Or should I give it all up and go back to one-box player? (I owned an Audio Aero Capitole but wanted more resolution so went separates). Ultimate detail retrieval and good 'weight' to the sound is what I am looking for from a transport- I have the musicality angle covered with the Dac. Any ideas?
sutts

Showing 4 responses by sutts

sutts OP
702 posts
 
Hey Albert- how are you? I have considered the CEC TL1x, but am unsure about the lower registers, as compared to the Teac VRDS clamping system, which I have found to have superb bass characteristics.

Not to say the CEC isn't excellent in this regard, however it merits further study. Also- seems to always be someone trying to sell a CEC TL1 every day on Audiogon, and I always wonder why if it supposedly so good...
sutts OP
702 posts
 
Sattothestars- already sold the CDT2- too late! It will probably come down to the CEC TL1-x vs Wadia 270 vs Spectral SDR 3000...
sutts OP
702 posts
 
Lgregoir- I agree that the Eclipse is very good- in fact I used to own it for over a year, and it was my favorite of the non-Teac based transports- good call!! I guess I am hesitant to go down that road again, only because of the fact that their are dacs and additional circuitry in the Eclipse that I would rather not 'pay for' if I would only be using it as a transport. But it does merit consideration, as you are correct- the detail retrieval WAS excellent. In fact- I sold it to go the the Audio Aero Captitole, die to the better tonality I found woth the Cap, especially in the mids. Never did try the Eclipse as a transport only though- hmmm......

The decision is made however- as of a few hours ago, I did the deal on a demo Spectral SDR 3000 transport- will post findings on the Spectral/Audio Note Dac combo following its arrival.
sutts OP
702 posts
 
Platsolos- the Vecteur D2 is good, but the L4 is better- they are extremely impressive considering the price. In fact, I could pick up an L4 for a good deal right now, but am searching for the higher end, and therefore going to try the Spectral.

Mgottlieb- yes, good suggestion. IN FACT- I will be testing the new Spectral against some stiff competition- a Sony SCD-1 as transport only; and a Sim Audio Eclipse also used as transport only (a buddy of mine has both units, which is why we will be able to do the 3-way transport shootout)- all going into the Audio Note 3.1 Balanced Dac- will post results when testing complete...
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