Beefy stand-alone transports, or players w/ beefy transports as part of them...

Considering replacing my collection of Denon DCD 1500-II players with a single transport.

It seems a waste that I'm bypassing the internal DACs, which sound so nice, but I like my external DACs.

Thinking a beefy transport, or a player that has a robust transport and available lasers, may be the route to go.

Love the Pioneer Elite design- and have been told at least one other maker used it as well.

Same for the Rega.

I see Theta transports pop up, but Theta isn't servicing the older models. And unsure of the laser availability anyhoo.


Any tips/suggestions on what to look for? Who's producing a nice, reliable, stable transport, with parts available?


I've heard good things about Mr. Pig's JVC. Any others?

Phillips, Marantz or anything that uses the CDM1 transport.

Perhaps the most cost effective, and servicable modern transport is going to
be a Squeezebox or a Duet. This way the hard drive can be replaced if it
were to fail, and laser assemblies no longer become an issue. However to
make this a listenable unit, the stock wal-wart power supply needs to be
junked. The switching unit is terrible. It can be replaced with an ELPAC
which can be had off of EBAY for about $60. There is another kind that can
be found on EBAY that needs to be finished, but I forget what it is, but crooner should know.

If you want a traditional CDP/Transport I would consider the Pioneer Elite
players. My XL-Z series JVC player is a fine sounding unit, and can be had
pretty inexpensively from EBAY. But I am not sure about the laser issue,
basically you need to just use it till it fails, and then move on. But they
can be had cheaply enough that this is not an issue. Another player to
consider are the Meridfian 508 series, they would make a nice transport.
Stay away from Theta, they don't want to support anything. Leave the PS
Audio alone too, unobtainable laser assmbely. Leave the Sonic Frontiers
alone, they don't shut their laser off, so if the player is powered up, the
laser is on. Most other machines turn the laser off after a period of
inactivity. Oh, and a Classe may be a very good machine also. Don't forget
CEC and Parasound. Two belt drive transports that have avid supporters.

One of the best made.

Too bad the lasers are unobtanium.

I think the way to go is indeed the Squeezebox.

I've heard positive things about the Sonos as well, but don't have a lot of feedback on it like I do the Squeezebox.

The Duet is a new one to me.


I'd be pretty comfy with a nice solid stand-alone transport and a move to a squeezebox in the relatively near future.

I had a bad experience concerning transports. I'm talking about the Roksan dp1 i bought in the 90's....

My actual love concerning cdp's are from Cambridge Audio.
I'm in love with the 740 C i'd listen in last Lisbon's Audio Show.

http://www.cambridge-audio.us/summary.php?...pling+CD+player

This player features upsampling, to an unusually high 24 bit at 384 kHz. The upsampling technology was developed in cooperation with Anagram Technologies of Switzerland and is the same as is used in the more expensive 840c player. Also it uses twin Wolfson WM8740 DAC chips. And, it can also be utilised as a DAC for two extra sources.


Q5 Upsampling from Anagram





The sound is very similar to Naim CD5x player, although the Naim is 3 times more expensive, and thus represents a completely different price class.

Also i concur with dingus about the CDM1 transport. Maybe the best transport ever made.

I would also love to eventual get a CD transport to replace the Marantz DVD player that I am currently using. I understand the attraction to the older Pioneer Elite models. The Pioneer "stable platter" mechanism the big attraction. I would love to own a PS Audio Lambda transport to mate with my PS Audio Ultralink Two DAC, but the CDM9Pro transport it uses is rumored to be less than reliable, while also being no longer available... not good. Some of the early Thetas also used the CDM9Pro. I have heard of people using the CDM44 (I think that is the right one) in the Thetas, but apparently there is no known success using it in the PS Audio Lambda.

So scratching the Lambda (and early Thetas) off my list, the EAD T-1000 and its Pioneer Stable Platter mechanism is the one I will eventually shoot for. The right deal on a later model Theta would also be interesting, but unlikely given what these units currently sell for.

Rob

theres one on available on audiogon right now, dont know if its priced right though.

I think the Teac VRSD 9, has the same mechs. The famous CMK-4.2 VRDS transport.
If you can stretch the budget the Teac VRDS are definitely worth checking out.

The Esoteric, which are a transport reference for many "audiophiles" has the same mechs too.

Thanks for all the great tips- I bit the bullet on a good deal or two after parting with some a/d/s/ L630s, a few CDPs (had a hell of a time selling 'em this spring/summer) and one of my DACS.

More to come....