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Which good CD transports can be found in the used market?

I've used the Mac "Superdrive" cd/dvd transport that came with my Mac Mini to play and rip CD's into iTunes. So i know that I'm not getting the best quality 1's and 0's I listen to.   As I'm retired and on a budget, am unable to go out and buy a Cambridge CXC or the like.   Which older-model cd players, dvd players or stand-alone transports do you suggest I consider ...and at what price might I be able to find them?  Thanks, people!!
waterzlife
14 responses Add your response
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
Teac or Esoteric they have the VRDS system. Just make sure the model you look at doesn’t have KSS151A laser, as they are unobtainium.

Theses models don’t have the KSS151A laser.

ESOTERIC P-0 VRDS-0 – Sanyo SF-C93 / SF-C99

ESOTERIC P-01 VRDS-NEO – SPU3110

ESOTERIC P-02 VRDS-NEO VMK-3.5-20S – SPU3162

ESOTERIC P-03 VRDS-NEO VMK-3.5-20S – SPU3162

ESOTERIC P-05 VRDS-NEO VMK-5 – SPU3162

TEAC VRDS-T1 VRDS CMK-4 – KSS-240A


BTW Some of the better Wadia's also use the Teac VRDS system


Cheers George




reubent
6,982 posts
 
@waterzlife - What is you budget for a CD player or transport?  
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,781 posts
 
The best system I ever heard used a CEC transport.
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
if your rips are accurate bit for bit, a transport cannot improve things

there is software that can check for accurate rips but I don't bother with it, I just turn on the checking in iTunes when I rip a CD

there are many things related to the DAC for you to spend money on, so don't worry about a lack of holes to toss $$ in
jl35
3,980 posts
 
if he can't buy the CXC , his budget is under $300
loomisjohnson
1,943 posts
 
for a $100 or less on ebay you can get an older arcam dv88 or dv78, which make very solid transports and actually sound good as players
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
test to be sure they are bit for bit accurate if the OP wants - tho I'd bet they already are

then... get a nice recently made DAC if his is old

and maybe this:
http://schiit.com/products/eitr

mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,982 posts
 
Depending on your budget, CEC makes some of the best transports available.  Here is a CEC CD player, but it would make a really sweet transport, (has AES/EBU, Coax RCA and toslink outputs).

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/cd-sacd-players-c-e-c-cd3300r-cd-player-silver-62-off-with-remote-...

This was just posted for sale and will not last long.  No affiliation with the seller, just pointing out a GREAT deal.

Also, the Rotel RCD-1072 makes a fantastic transport.

minorl
1,016 posts
 

any pioneer elite unit makes wonderful transports and some have four DACS which makes great CD Players also.

I have found the following to be outstanding transports.

1. Pioneer Elite DV-09;  Built like a tank, seriously overbuilt and outstanding transport.  May not play all types of discs.

2.  Pioneer Elite BD-09;  wonderful Transport and CD player

3.  Pioneer Elite DV-79AVi:  great transport and also great CD player

4.  Pioneer Elite BDP-95

Any of these can be had for a small amount of money.  People "upgraded" because they wanted 1.  a Blue ray play, so they sold the CD player.  But, if you only want a CD Transport, the DV-09, BD--9 and DV-79AVi are hard to beat as transports. 2.  HDMI for their blue  ray players.  Same arguments as above.  3. loading speed. 

I have compared these as transports only into my Audio Research DAC 8 and they are absolutely wonderful.  Also, the DV-79AVi, BD-09 and BDP-95 as CD Players are very close to the transport/DAC combination using the DAC 8.

Four internal DACs go a long way.

The prices are very low for each of these, from $150 to around $800 tops.  you can't beat these for the money and sound quality.  Anything under  $2000 new today would have a very hard time beating these units.

Also, they look great with the dark wood side panels.

I still have my original Pioneer Elite PD-65  in my office and it sounds and looks great also.

Enjoy

reubent
6,982 posts
 
If I was in the market for a CD player/transport today, I would buy the CEC unit that @mofimadness referenced previously. Better hurry, it probably won't be available for long....
chuckjonez
34 posts
 
I would add Rega CD players. They are built like tanks and do not have a sliding drawer. Older Planet models are affordable when they come along. 
skiroe's avatar
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skiroe
131 posts
 
Re/VRDS---If I recall correctly --some versions of that transport are  not deserving of the VRDS signification.    See Lampizator  website ---likely his older webpage and he has some examples on there of so called VRDS that are obvious ploys on close examination.  Suffice to say if I were to consider buying a VRDS I would want to be sure that it was the real deal .     Heres a link I  just re-found     http://lampizator.eu/LAMPIZATOR/REFERENCES/TEAC-T1/VRDS-T1.html
I have 3 vintage transports here ,, all using what are considered to be the best of the Philips transports.  My Museatex C-lok   has the CDM1 mk2, It has been gone through by Stephen Sank who is a microphone restorer among other things .  He very much favors  the Museatex  and grabs them whenever and wherever he can.   My PS Audio Lambda has the CDM9 pro and my Rotel  RDD980   sitting on the shelf uses the CDM9.   CDM9 is generally thought of as the last of the best made Philips.    The best part is my Lambda and Museatex cost me 400 or less.  I saw a Lambda on Agon with an asking of $1k just this year.    My Rotel cost me $150.   The Lambda sees the most service as it is in my main system.   The Museatex in the bedroom and not used much.    It probably has one of the hardest to read screens in the business..  not much went into it re/ making the print stand out nor the lighting.  Have to be a few feet away at the most. lol    That was probably the case with a lot of 90's units.  Well,  that doesn't affect the sound nor does one sit and watch the screen while listening to a cd.          
deepee99's avatar
deepee99
86 posts
 
The top-loading Rega is a good choice. Oppo makes a lot of industry-standard drives as well. HHB's upside-down tray drive was probably the best. Not sure they're made anymore but look on FleaBay.
chuckjonez
34 posts
 
I'd recommend the x3 (83, 93, 103, etc.) line of Oppo players. They go for half of the audiophile favored x5 line. The robust mechanicals are the same. 
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