OK as promised - the Metronome T1A & AL2 CD Transport and matching separate Power Supply CD player (used as a transport only) versus the Pro-Ject CD Box RS2T dedicated Transport into the Vu Jade Audio reference tube DAC.
The Pro-Ject was received this past Friday and the Mertonome is a much older unit.
The Project revelated much more information especially the separation of vocals and instruments. Much clearer sounding then the Met which sounded slow in comparison. The Met throws a large soundstage top to bottom, left to right. Think of this like a bay window. The project is like three large windows that replaced the bay window. Each window is clearer with better separation from what is coming from each of those windows. This is especially noticeable with backing vocals and instruments. The clarity has a very distinct separation plus while providing this clarity, each instrument maintains its own tone. Cymbals, drum wacks or even brushes on the drum have their own tone and space. It took me some time to get my head and mind wrapped around the clarity. The Project had a deeper soundstage front to back. One could live with either transport but the Pro-Ject was simply the better overall transport. Even though it was new, it was not hard or harsh sounding. I am wondering if we should have purchased the better power supply. I will have to dig up a linear power supply from storage to see if there is an improvement. The Met has a matching heavy power supply versus the Pro-Ject tiny wall wart.
I had compared the MET to the Jays Audio transport over a year ago. I preferred the MET to the Jays for overall musicality. It was more relaxed sounding with more beauty IMO. The owner of the Jays felt that it was more dynamic but to me the sound was flatter so it sounded more dynamic. I don't want to hear backing vocals on the same sound stage plane as the lead singers vocals if you understand what I am hearing. The Project was completely different than these two players.
The project is a light weight unit and not very big in dimension. If you are going to use big heavy cables on the unit, that may be a consideration for you. I had no issues with the toggle switch. It was right on the front of the unit and had a nice "click" to it. The CD puck is a tiny thing about the size of a quarter or a little bigger. The Met puck is a little bigger than that but not by much as compared to my old CEC with a bigger and heaver puck than these two units had. When you open the lid to the Project the CD is stopped, with the MET the CD is still spinning so that was interesting to me.
I am not sure what other transports are in the $3K price range but I have heard a few in the lower price point - NuPrime, Cambridge, Sim Audio, Electrocompaniet, Rega, etc. They are all nice players for the money. If you are planning on spending a little more, you should be very happy with the Pro-Ject
CD Box RS2T.
I hope this was helpful. Send me your questions if you want to know more.
Happy Listening.
