What do modern, current day CD Transports do that older CDP's with RCA digital out don't?


I have read a few posts saying that even a modern inexpensive CD transport can sound better with modern DACs than older, more expensive CD players equipped with digital outputs (RCA digital output).

I understand very old CD players with optical outputs only can be poorer sounding due to the optical interface. But I would be curious to learn about how a nice $2000 Sony ES or Marantz higher grade CD player from 12-15 years ago, with RCA digital out won’t work just as well feeding a DAC as say, an modern Audiolab slot loading transport for about $600.  Let's consider the older player is working without problems, like bad laser or mechanical problems.

Hopeful that someone here can explain what the new stuff has on board that works in their favor.

troidelover1499

Showing 4 responses by pesky_wabbit

we got a new georgehifi here doing politburo manifesto paste jobs

the world doesn‘t want to be saved, it wants better sound. Telling people that what they are hearing is delusional just won‘t wash I‘m afraid, especially when they wanted or expected the shiny new player to sound worse..

Expectation bias has been dashed on many an occasion.

I have an older Sony ES and a Yamaha that have far better built drive assemblies.

and if you go even further back, you have the “mechanism that doesn‘t wear out“, the grandaddy of them all, an engineering masterpiece that still eclipses anything ever built for durability. Is everything built henceforth a marketing ploy?……maybe…….

But if I can pick up a CD for less by an artist I really like....

I like the idea of owning music too..

most of all, use your own ears and decide for yourself. You can read all the reviews and theory in the universe, but in the end it‘s the sound that counts..