2. digital
  3. 157500-120807

CD Transport to pair with Audio Note DAC 5 - suggestions?

Here's the question: Is there anyone out there with experience with an Audio Note DAC who can recommend a CD Transport that would go well with it? The budget is $3-$4K. There are many fine CDT's out there - I'm looking specifically for one that would complement an Audio Note DAC5. For more background, read on...

I recently bought a used AN DAC5 and in my system and to my ears, it's been nothing short of transformative.
For streaming I paired it with a DCS Network Bridge and I'm very happy with the combo.

For CD's I've been using a TRI CDP as a transport through the DAC5. It sounds really nice - better than expected - but I'm thinking about upgrading to a dedicated transport. The DAC5 just processes Redbook files, so I don't need a CDT that spins SACD or anything else. I'm trying to keep the price under $3-4000 and I'm ok with buying used. 

The Audio Note CDT 3 or even the CDT 2/ii would be a no-brainer for complementing the DAC5 but the price new is way out of budget, and I rarely see them used. 
Jay's Audio CDT2-MK2 - I've read all the positive reviews out there and at under $2500, I'm intrigued. But also have no idea how it would play with the AN DAC.

Any ideas, suggestions?
mpsharkie
Ag insider logo xs@2x
scratcha
164 posts
 
Simaudio Moon 260D(T),
Very nice! In your budget also.
letch
110 posts
 
I wish I could speak to your Audio Note DAC. FWIW, I recently I decided to upgrade out of a CDP and go transport and DAC. I bought a used CEC TL5 and bought the Mhdt Orchid. I was trying to elevate my CD's to something approaching my analog front end.  I bought these two components after extensive reading and because both were associated with the idea of an analog-like reproduction scheme. I've heard a lot of various digital attempts over the years but this is easily the most...natural sound I've heard from my CD's. So, seconding the CEC recommendation. 
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
7,984 posts
 
That Audio Note is an amazing DAC.
mpsharkie OP
4 posts
 
Great ideas here, thanks.

I'm really liking what I'm reading about the CEC belt drive transports. The reviews echo what Jond and Letch said about the sound being natural, fluid, analogue-like. Could go very nicely with the DAC5!

I must admit I never heard about Lector or Denafrips transports. I can't find much by way of reviews for either, but given its reputation for their DACs,, the Denafrips Avatar could be the value of the year!

Larryi - thinking about your point about the downside of buying a used transport, that's really good advice. Thanks, I decided to go with new!
teajay
1,691 posts
 
Hey mpsharkie,

Right now I have in-house a CEC double belt transport and the Jay’s Audio transport MK-II. As I have stated on other threads here on AudioGon the Jay’s has the liquidity and ease of the belt driven transport, and adds more transparency/details, better overall dynamics/bass, and is more open/airy in it’s soundstaging abilities. Also, its build quality is on a higher level and its reasonable priced. It’s a killer piece!

I’m going through a run right now, regarding professionally reviewing DACs, which includes DACs very close in design to your DAC5 and the Jay’s Audio drives them superlatively. If you go to Six Moons website you could look at Srajan’s review on the Jay’s Audio transport which will give you many details regarding its performance and you will also see he quotes me regarding details of all the other transports I have had and why I now use the Jay’s Audio as my reference. Because, of how much information he shares of my experience and that I agree totally with his conclusions I never wrote my own review for whom I was writing for at that time.
More to discover