CD transports; do they really matter

From the review by Mr London -

An audiophile who will spend $3,000 on a dedicated CD transport would be very motivated to spend a bit more to get the maximum performance out of the Box RS2 transport.

.....I contacted Mark Schneider, owner of one of my favorite companies, Linear Tube Audio,......They also make very high-quality linear power supplies that can be customized for other companies’ gear. I had Mark take their LPS+ linear power supply and change it from a 12V/3Amp to a 20V/3Amp to match the Box RS2 transport input level, along with building a DC umbilical cable. Total cost, $645.

This for a custom made external LPS. In my experience custom made are much more expensive (and not just in $ terms - yours and my time to research and talk and research, perhaps travel, etc. It adds up) than a supplied component due to one off tooling costs and so on.

And after all that, it is still external. I maintain that it is false economy to not include an internal LPS. Like saving pennies on an heirloom.

Still, well within comfort boundaries compared with the prices of other technologically comparable units - those prices are so far away as to make any comparison like apples to oranges.

The Pro-Ject engineers would design one that is optimal for the transport. I would suggest that this would be "better" than a generic one that is designed to fit around the product rather than specifically for it.

So, we agree -

The cherry on top is one can further extend the sound quality if they decide at some point to add a LPS. This is a splendid scenario as far as I am concerned.

@noske 

Well for me the number 1 objective of an audio component is "how does it sound?". So that's the first thing to address and get right. Pro-Ject specifically wanted a small footprint  package (Their "Box" concept).  Adding an internal LPS they reasoned is inevitably going to increase the  physical package (Which they are seeking to avoid).

So they went the route of external LPS for those who desire this option. Keep in mind as I and other owners and listeners have pointed out,  sound quality with the wall wart is excellent. So the LPS is not mandatory for excellent sound quality.

A number of users have acquired Pro-Ject's own LPS or the LTA (Linear Tube Audio) LPS with excellent results. I opted for the Fidelizer Nikola II LPS and the pairing is divine. 

So owners have used different brands of power supplies with terrific results. This flexibility is an additional asset. I listed the expensive transports as a reference point if they want the Stream Unlimited CD Pro-8 unit. These types  of high quality CD drive mechanisms are the heart and soul of a transport.

There is currently no other CD transport anywhere near the cost of the RS2T that utilizes this latest technology CD drive unit. That's a very key point. Look, I understand no matter how good I or someone else  believes a component is, it is not going to please or be for everyone.

Maybe the Pro-Ject simply  is not what you're looking for, easily understood. There is a wide market for other transport choices.  I feel that based on my actual listening experiences and direct interactions it is a marvelous sounding CD transport. YMMV as is always the case with audio related matters. 

Charles 

CEC TL5 Belt driven top loader with Denefrips Ares 2 DAC...Wonderful. Turntables isolate motor noise by using a belt drive. CEC gets it!

Charles;

Have sent PM

@charles1dad ...again, I have not checked but it seems to me the CD3 was a player in toto and not just a transport.