CD Player versu Dedicated Transport


I am currently using an ARC CD3MKII as a transport feeding an Audio Logic DAC. Is there any downside (besides expense) to using a CD Player as a transport compared with a dedicated transport? Does all that extra electronics have a downside? (It is comforting to know that if something goes wrong with my DAC I would still be able to listen to music.)
pubul57
Well, I had the ARC CD first, and I thought it sounding just fine. I did not do a lot of comparisons when I bought it, but I certainly enjoyed my system. The Audio Logic 24MXL changed the sound. The sound was more alive, more jump factor, I guess what people refer to as dynamics. I get the sense there is more precise positioning of instruments physically and a distinct sources of sound in relation to other voices or insruments in the music - I guess less "smearing" or "blurring" of the individual instruments or voices.

I'd like to hear more about the right digital cable. I'm using a DH Labs Coax BNC to RCA. What might offer some improvement?
Pubul57, the extra electronics does not matter as it is completely different signal path. The digital output comes directly from the transport of your CD player so it is the same as if you had a dedicated CD transport. Some CD transports offered on the market use upgraded digital interface, better clocking and better power supply, but that can be done with the same effect to a regular CD player.

So the answer is NO, you do not suffer from using the CD player as a transport, especially if you are happy with the sound.

Regards,
Alex
Pubul57, I am using a CD3MkII as a transport feeding a Dodson DA217MkII-D DAC, and I am very happy with the combination.