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DVD/CD Player as a 2ch. Transport Only

elrod

elrod

Well-Known Member
CD Player Suggestions for Transport Only Use

Hey Gang,

Currently have my music ripped to flac, but would like to have a CD Player/transport for occasional use. Looking for the best alternative I can find without spending much more than two hundred.

I'm looking for a CD Player or a transport to be used strictly as a transport - don't give a rats about the on-board DAC's as I plan to use my existing DAC using the coax digital out. I do not want a changer, just single disk

I would really appreciate the opinion from people who
A. believe the transport does make a difference, and
B. who have actually heard the difference to support their opinions

Like most people, I'm trying to get the most bang for my buck. Has anyone compared transports such as the California Audio Labs Delta transport to what are considered the upper end CD/DVD transports?

Would love to find something with a transport that has great sonics and reliability. A universal type player is okay and I don't care about it's ability to play CD-R/RW. I do admire the build quality of the vintage players and the advancements of some of the modern gear, so I'm open to what era the transport comes from

Thanks!
 
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I use a modified Marantz CD-63SE as a transport only. The digital out feeds an MSB DAC. I also sometimes use a Yamaha DVD-S1800 as a transport. Although I purchased it for SACD playback.

Frankly, I think that while there are very small audible differences between players used as transports, there are far greater differences in DACs.

What DAC will you be using?
 
I been using a Denon 1920 SACD/DVD Player as a CD Transport for a couple years now since my Denon 1500II CD Player died. I've been pretty happy with it, but not overwelmed to be sure.

I'm evaluating a Rotell RDD 980 CD Transport now, It just doesn't seem right to use a DVD Player as a Transport on good equipment. So far the results are mixed. The DVD Player actually seems more transparent and less fatiguing. I'm using 2 ELO CD's with the dynamic range of a vacume cleaner though, not the best choice of music to evaluate a CD Player, and perhaps fatiguing on any equipment. I've listened to a few other CD's on it though and must say the Rotel Transport Does sound very good.

It may be the Denon DVD Player is simply missing some of the music, making it seem more transparent. The Rotel does in fact sound more like the real instrument than the Denon. Switching between the Stock Denon Players on board DAC to the Bryston DAC Module in my Amp makes a Much greater difference than switching Transports. My gut feeling is the transport is more important than some (including myself) may have thought, but the DAC Plays a much bigger role.
 
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with a good dac, a decent budget, and a love for single disc vintage transports, i think you have an answer.

whatever looks good, works, and has a digital coax out. my sony 507esd is a true champion. having toslink and coax and dual tda dac chips inside it sounds beautiful and was less than 20 at a thrift. the black and gold 90's sony scheme goes with my gear too. i have love for late 80's/early 90's cd players. they refuse to die. when they do, they can be repaired most of the time.

id say whatever matches your gear and has the options you want, in the right price range, is the best bet. agreed dac is way more important in the chain.
 
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