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Resolving CD Transports Crowd Sourcing

Hi everyone! A couple of years ago I purchased my endgame CD transport- a Pro-Ject CD Box RS2T. Loved almost everything about the unit--highly resolving presentation, dead quiet background, balanced placement of instruments in a believable 3 dimensional soundstage, and  the synergy it had with my components. In fact I loved the transport so much I had two of them because Pro-Ject quality control and customer service is the pits. After almost a year of hassles, I'm swearing of Pro-Ject.

I'm in the market for a replacement CD transport that has the same qualities of the Pro-Ject minus the quality issues and customer service.

PS Audio, Jay's Audio, CEC, Audio Research (which are CD/DAC units) come up in my search. What are your thoughts? With all the bells and whistles the Pro-Ject was around $3300, so that gives you an idea of my budget, though I could go higher.

Thanks in advance!

128x128wharfy
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,235 posts
 

@8th-note 

The TEAC 701 versus the Jay’s Audio CD transport will be most interesting. I hope that you are able to do this at some point.

@stuartk 

It is good to read that the Jay’s Audio CDT2 has worked out well for you. Congratulations!!

Charles 

 

twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,313 posts
 

No love for the Simaudio 260D?

https://simaudio.com/en/product/260d-cd-transport-with-optional-dac-2/

The Primare DD35 seems to go completely unnoticed.

https://primare.net/product/dd35-cd-transport/

At a lower price point, there's the Primare DD15

https://primare.net/product/dd15-cd-transport/

and the pretty new Audiolab 9000CDT

https://www.audiolab.co.uk/9000cdt/

 

jetter
2,961 posts
 

I'd consider waiting until all the bugs are worked out of the new Schiit transport and for a couple of reviews.  I have only owned two lesser priced Schiit products, the SYS and Lokius, but like their overall business model.

wharfy's avatar
wharfy OP
300 posts
 

@jetter 

Thanks for the recommendation. Did some research and this is what I learned-

The URD’s CD drive uses StreamUnlimited‘s metal tray-loading Redbook CD mechanism. StreamUnlimited manufactures CDPro8 and BlueTiger servo boards. I will be curious to read the user reviews.

https://www.ecoustics.com/products/schiit-urd-cd-transport/

https://www.suos-hifi.com/

wharfy's avatar
wharfy OP
300 posts
 

@twoleftears 

More good recommendations! TY

I researched and listened to both the Simaudio 260d and the Primare DD35.

The Sim has transport issues, which is what torpedoed my second Pro-Ject transport. I auditioned the Primare in my system and was underwhelmed.

Haven't heard the Audiolab 9000cdt. When looking for a cd transport to replace an ailing Arcam, I auditioned the 6000cdt and a Cambridge CXC. I chose the CXC.

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