Audiolab 6000CDT CD Transport

[NeilBEN]

Nope, just got off the phone with Audio Advisor and their customer service is awful. If you don’t experience a problem in the first 30 days you are on your own. I wouldn’t buy from them again.

I am very sorry to hear this. If / when I buy this unit, I was debating between AA and HiFi Heaven and eBay - which may or may not have been one or both of those two. AA is listed on BBB and I was leaning toward them, but now, not so much.

I just read on another AK thread that Schiit is coming out with a transport (soon in the next several months?), so I will be waiting to see that unit.

 

[Art K.]

Here’s the thing. It sounds so damn good that, in a sense, I don’t care. I bought another so that when it arrives I can send the other one off for the summer (it’ll take that long) and still have music. Yes, I want a properly functioning unit. Yes, I know that Audiolab has a rep for sketchy reliability. But this unit is sooo damn good. Just as an aside, as could be predicted, it sounds better with the display off.

 

[Art K.]

As bad as I was treated by AA I would buy from them over HiFi Heaven.

 

[NeilBEN]

Thanks for the follow up - the Schiit has serious competition! It is too bad the display doesn't have a switch to turn it off / on.

Also, I wonder if there is something that is just loose, and could be fixed? If the warranty doesn't cover it, then opening up the unit and looking might be fruitful?

 

[Art K.]

The Audiolab does have a switch to turn the display off.

 

[Art K.]

Here is the thing, if you go in knowing that they only provide service for 30 days then you are fine. I’m used to dealers who provide some level of service for the life of the product. Gene Rubin for example.

 

[KevinCorr]

Art, sorry to hear that. Now I think I should have purchased the extended warranty. Normally I don't patronize Amazon but sometimes Alaskans have a problem with vendors who refuse to ship here. The dreaded "Conus" word. So I ended up buying the 6000cdt from Amazon but did not buy the insurance offered. No problem so far.

I do enjoy the unit which I got last November. Good luck.

 

[Art K.]

It still sounds amazing.

 

[cubiclecrush]

I happen to be looking for a replacement to my Denon DCM-370 which is starting to get real fussy on which CD's it wants to read. I stumbled on this thread and like the idea of separate transports/dacs. You all have made this Audiolab shoot to the top of my short list.

I did stumble on a $399 Marantz HD-CD1 which has it's own DAC but can be run as a transport only. Seems to get decent reviews as a transport. I mention it because I'm in a small office and the smaller footprint might have a bit of an advantage.

Would any of you have any experience with the Marantz and be able to compare it to the Audiolab as far as a transport goes?

 

[Art K.]

So yesterday just before my new black 6000CDT arrived I check out the display on my silver one and you guessed it. Works just fine... I have no idea what that’s about. It’s now my backup. The newbie is up and running and of course sounds fantastic.

 

[Frank Sol]

Crazy!!

But I guess this is good...

 

[NeilBEN]

It sounds like possibly that the on/off switch for the display was / is a little wonky?

 

[NeilBEN]

Art, is the display switch on the remote?

 

[KevinCorr]

I couldn't find it on the unit so I searched the manual and see it on the remote.

 

[Art K.]

As Kevin said, it’s on the remote.

 

[Spektre]

I just took delivery of a 9000 CDT and if anyone has ever wondered if its an upgrade from the 6000 CDT I can confirm that's a yes, Its not a small difference either but a significant upgrade over that machine.

Paul Rigby AKA The Audiophile man has done a review and comparison between the two transports and I agree with everything he says in his review. The only thing I have to add is that your listener perspective changes from being back in the 6th or 7th row to being in row 2. I can't quiet believe I'm listening to the same M DAC+ I've owned for about 5 years now.

 

[Art K.]

I just took delivery of a 9000 CDT and if anyone has ever wondered if its an upgrade from the 6000 CDT I can confirm that's a yes, Its not a small difference either but a significant upgrade over that machine.

Paul Rigby AKA The Audiophile man has done a review and comparison between the two transports and I agree with everything he says in his review. The only thing I have to add is that your listener perspective changes from being back in the 6th or 7th row to being in row 2. I can't quiet believe I'm listening to the same M DAC+ I've owned for about 5 years now.

Gotta say though, the TEAC VRDS 701T is yet another step up. That’s what I replaced my 6000CDT with…and wow! The Linear Tube Audio Aero DAC works beautifully with it, really bringing out the best in both.

 

[Spektre]

I saw the Teac in you sig, man that thing is so beautiful it has me drooling and I bet it has bought a whole new dimension to CD replay.

For me the transport has been a bigger upgrade than when I changed from the budget Modi 3 DAC, its a much weightier sound than the 6000 and I think the tonal balance is a little darker.

 

[Art K.]

It really has, Gavin. So much more body and weight while not losing any of the goodies that make music, music. Looks like you are still in the valley. One of these days we’re gonna have to meet up for a beer. We just moved a few miles east to get out from the townhome and other silliness in Corvallis.

 

[Guarnera]

I have the 6000CDT for a few years and I just love it. I was using a Denon DCD-1560 CD player as a transport, and the CDT6000 was a great upgrade. I'm running it with a HALO spring 3 DAC, and just love it. But I am thinking about the CDT9000 upgrade. And then MAYBE a Halo May DAC upgrade. But the DAC upgrade will be a while. Just love the CDT6000.