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Looking to Buy My First CD Transport

I'm thinking of buying a CD transport and am looking for recommendations around the $1000 USED mark.

I've read great things about the Theta Data Basic I and II, and I really like the fact one of those can be purchased for $400 - $700 used. I was also wondering what people thought of the Sonic Frontiers SFT-1. What about the Anthem CD-1 6-disc changer as a transport? Any other recommendations would be appreciated.

My current system is comprised of Musical Fidelity E60 CD player [the unit I'm looking to replace], Bel Canto DAC 1.1, Sim Audio Moon I-5 integrated, Sonus Faber Concertinos and ProAc Tablette 50 Signatures, and NHT SW3P subwoofer.

The setup is in a 12 by 16 foot room, and my tastes lean more towards musical enjoyment, than analytical reproduction.

Thanks!
gunbei
aknorth
28 posts
 
Hello
I noticed you were considering the Sony 9000 ES.

I have a system that includes the following.

Audio Research LS25 Pre-Amp. Theta Gen 5a Dac, Theta Pearl Transport, Sony 9000 ES, Lexicon MC-1 Processor, Bi-Amping All speakers (except SCM"S) with Parasound HCA 3500 & 1500 amps (need to up grade AMPS as I can) B&W 800 Nautilus Front, B&W HTM1 Center and B&W 804 Nautilus rears, B&W SCM8'S sides, Cardas Interconnects and Transparent Digital cables. ESP Power cords

I find the Theta Pearl to be much better in my system as a Transport than the Sony 9000ES.

The sound stage is much larger, more detail and a lot fuller.

May be system dependant as the Pearl paired with the Theta Gen 5a Dac should match well. What ever the reason the 9000 ES does not work for me.

I thought as the others above, and got the 9000 ES looking to free up space and have only the one item and less cables but sound is not even close. The SACD disk in the 9000ES can not even match the standard CD in the Theta Stuff.

Good Luck Bob
dekay's avatar
dekay
5,598 posts
 
AKNorth: How many hours do you have on the standard and playback sections of the 9000ES? All feedback suggests that the sound does not start to come together until at least 400 hours or so are put on each section individually.
dekay's avatar
dekay
5,598 posts
 
"standard and SACD sections"
aknorth
28 posts
 
Hi Dekay
I'll give the 9000ES some more time, and see what happens. I let it play to break it in. But I would say some where around 80 hours as a transport for CD and maybe 80 to 90 in SACD and another 50 to 60 on DVD. Did not expect it to be so long. Thanks for the Tip. Bob
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