New Project RS2T transport

Check out the 1:00 point in the video.

thank you for the video, I had watched it once before and really didn't pay attention. It looks very obvious that the puck drop right down on the disc to secure it, mine wont.  Thanks again

Very lucky to get a replacement.  I ordered one 3 months ago that was supposed to have been here last week.  Now I'm being told September.

Glad to hear you hung in there, and with the exception of the puck, you are quite happy. However, every top loading mechanism I have owned (at least 4), the puck made contact with the disc; its job is to stabilize the disc and maintain proper distance from the laser.

If you have access to a machine shop, get the specs from Project and have it drilled.  They should cover the cost, OR, they should overnight you a proper puck

Keep us posted

If you are paying $3000.00 you should not have to fix their screw-ups.

Very substandard and surprising for an Austrian company. I will keep my Bel Canto CD3T. 

    If you have access to a machine shop, get the specs from Project and have it drilled.  They should cover the cost, OR, they should overnight you a proper puck

@robshaw 

Ps would like to thank Charles1 DAD  for encouraging me to stick with transport. It is that GOOD!!!   Just wondering if they all are designed to do what I am experiencing?

Hi Robert,

I’m very happy for you. Glad that you gave it a 2nd chance to at least hear it in your own audio system and make up your own mind. It is superb sounding and I thought it’d be a splendid match with the Meitner DAC. Terrific that it turned out that way for you.

1 You’ll hear improvement with additional hours of use.

2 As good as it is with the standard power supply, it improves further with a good quality linear power supply (LPS).👍

Charles

+1 juanmanuelfangioii

Robshaw. Mine was shipped today from TMR. I will let you know about the puck. My Sony ES player uses the same setup. It does set on the disk to clamp it to the spindle. Does your spindle have the rubber clamp gasket that sits on the top?

Anyone compare this transport to the Jay's cdt2 mk3? 

I have the same issue along with a couple of other problems. This concern creates a loading issue of certain discs for me. By pressing down with light pressure helps the loading process on my soon to be replaced unit. The worst examples of this will not load and is very noisy making the attempt.

The problem I’m guessing is the tolerance is too tight not allowing for the slight variance in disc imperfections.

I should have my replacement in about 2 weeks. Thank goodness since it looks like I got the Uberlemon.

@dafox 

There are those comparisons made on this admittedly long but very informative thread started by Terry London.

Charles

@charles1dad 

Thanks!

Welcome. I bought an early one, pre most reviews.

All good since. Been perfecto.

My puck is plastic, why not just scrape it out?

@lpretiring 

I have had my RS2T since November 2021 and no issues and it is silent in daily operation. I wonder if Pro-Ject is ramping up production to meet demand (Pure speculation admittedly). If so, they need to change course and commit to QC before units are shipped out. This is correctable with proper attention and resolve.

Charles

To all of you that tried to help. I really and sincerely appreciate it!!!!! My wife and I played with the puck today, and discovered a very minor burr on the inside of the plastic/metal puck that secures the disc. It was extremely minor, but, We didn't want to force anything. Between trial and error the burr must have broken free, and allowed  the puck to magnetically move into place. I will recheck tomorrow, but, I believe the situation is remedied. I have my fingers crossed.  Ps and I'm laughing as I type. May start to look for a linear power supply soon. Thanks again to all!!!

@charles1dad 

Let's hope that the right individuals have taken notice. If defective units continue to be circulated the community will gravitate towards other reliable alternatives. That would most certainly be a shame considering the level of performance in this relatively affordable product.

@robshaw 

Sounds like you have solved the problem. Yes, a firm magnetic adherence when working as intended. There are definitely good options for you with regard to LPS selection. I have been using the Fidelizer Nikola II LPS since January. It’s a marvelous match with the RS2T.

Charles

@lpretiring 

Let's hope that the right individuals have taken notice. If defective units continue to be circulated the community will gravitate towards other reliable alternatives. That would most certainly be a shame considering the level of performance in this relatively affordable product

Agree 100%

@lpretiring

That would most certainly be a shame considering the level of performance in this relatively affordable product.

I can add to this statement and say that it also can be applied to a few other pro ject products, namely the tube box ds2 and the Classic SB turntable. 2 more products that are affordable and yet sound better than they have any right to. Just my experience. I do not own their above mentioned transport, but I’m sure it sounds great.

I picked up one of these a couple weeks ago too and while the sound quality has been fantastic I had the same issue with the puck not sitting all the way down and the player having issues reading maybe 10% of discs.

The comments here got me to look a little closer at the puck and the mechanism and  I realized the puck requires a small amount of pressure to kinda click into place. Mine didn't take much but I was so used to other players that don't click in place I never tried it. I'm not sure if this is by design or just poor tolerance on the manufacturing of the puck but after placing it correctly the discs that couldn't be read before now work fine.

I had been expecting to have to send the player back so this makes me very happy as this thing sounds amazing.

@kstaken I realized the puck requires a small amount of pressure to kinda click into place. Mine didn't take much but I was so used to other players that don't click in place I never tried it. I'm not sure if this is by design or just poor tolerance on the manufacturing of the puck but after placing it correctly the discs that couldn't be read before now work fine.

Yes, there’s a subtle click and the puck is then firmly magnetically seated. This has been my experience since day 1 of ownership. I am glad you find its sound quality “amazing”. If you don’t mind, what DAC are you using with your RS2T?

Charles

To Charles 1 Dad and many of the others who helped me. I'm glad the other member was able to remedy the puck issue. I believe one member suggested the lack of better machining to tolerances. I will look into the LPS that Charles mentioned. Just wanting to listen to some music for now with the stock power supply. Actually, a shame to have to say this, but, want to make sure it continues to work properly before I invest any more money!    Again Thanks to all.

Kudo's to The Music ROOM/ They stood by me and were very attentive to the issues at hand. They had my back the whole time. Thank you MUSIC ROOM

Thanks to all who commented on the magnetic puck.

I wasn't too concerned with it since my unit is soon to be swapped out. But last night under close examination I too had a teeny rough spot which upon removal corrected this issue. 

For those considering an LPS for this transport, I placed an order for the Fidelizer Nikola II on July 6th. At that time parts for the actual 20v transformer were on back order. A follow up 2 days ago brought information that the core materials have arrived. The unit should be completed about Aug. 15th.

It's unclear to me if the raw materials are available to build multiple units at this time. If interested contact Keetakawee. So far he has been fantastic to work with.

@robshaw 

I understand your cautiousness but I believe that you’ll be fine. I listened to my RS2T for 2 months with the stock SMPS wall wart. Enjoying it so much I questioned if a LPS was really necessary. Pro-Ject implemented this wall wart very well. I was persuaded by other owners that further improvement is possible with a LPS. This proved to be true.

There is something quite special with the Stream Unlimited CD Pro-8 drive unit/mechanism and Blue Tiger servo card. It’s contributing to fabulous Redbook 16/44 CD playback.

Charles 

@lpretiring If interested contact Keetakawee. So far he has been fantastic to work with

Yes, exactly my impression as well

Charles

Hello folks: Robert Shaw from TN: Charles,  again thanks for all your help and guidance, and everyone else that contributed.

     My second unit is going back as soon as I can get an RA number and printed label from the Music Room. Today, I went out to listen to music, as the puck issue was remedied. I turned the transport on and just the blue light under the switch turned on, NO illuminated  screen!!!!  WEIRD!!!  I switched to another receptacle that I knew was fine, as my Line AMP was working just fine on that receptacle, and the Rs2T turned on.

    I listened to the CDT for an hour with NO issues, What a GREAT UNIT!!!! It sounds FABULOUS. WOW.   I decided to stream Qobuz for a while as I am a new customer and it was fine. I decided for the last half hour, before going in for dinner, I would go back to the RS2T. Upon switching the DAC to AES from USB and turning the RS2T on (moving the switch to on) just the blue light came on!!! The screen was totally blank. I turned the transport off again, and waited a couple of minutes before turning it back on, and just the blue light was lighted, NO screen!!!  How can a unit play uninterrupted for an hour and sound so good, and the just CRAP out.. I worked very hard for my money, just like everyone else, Just tired I guess. Sorry to burden you guys, you have been great. Just wanted you to know the status!!!  Thanks again to all.

@robshaw . I worked very hard for my money, just like everyone else, Just tired I guess. Sorry to burden you guys, you have been great. Just wanted you to know the status!!! Thanks again to all

Robert,

I am sorry you’ve had such ongoing trouble with the RS2T, very disappointing in contrast to my problem free ownership thus far. You have to do what is best for you without question. As you have affirmed, sound quality is superb, sadly quality control is not.

Pro-Ject is losing a good customer due to what seem to me are very fixable issues. Very regrettable. At least you had the opportunity to hear this CD transport in your system. A wonderful sonic match with your Meitner DAC. Are you considering moving on to the Jay’s Audio CDT2 MK III or their flagship CDT3? What ever you decide, I sincerely wish you the best.

PS

@nonoise has spoken very highly of his new Technics SL G700 upper tier CD /SACD transport. Worth looking into.

Charles

The Technics SL G700 is more than a transport  - it has a DAC ,  headphone amp ,  network streamer, plays CDs and SCADs

@facten 

Thanks!

So it’s quite flexible. I just mentioned the CD transport performance because @nonoise specifically addressed that aspect and is highly impressed.

Charles

It sure looks like the RS2-T gremlins are out in full force today.

My main problem has been intermittent powering up just as @robshaw described. Up to today when the unit didn’t power up, a 10-minute recess and retry would yield results. Once powered up I was good to go the entire listening session. Tonight 6 tries at 10-minute intervals bared no fruit. My unit now appears to be toast.

In hindsight I should have left it powered up continuously until the cavalry arrives.

I feel like a genie thats been summoned to grant someone a wish.....😀

Hello Rob, Charles is right on how much I love my Technics SL-G700 SACD player.  I've had it for one month less than the SU-G700M2 integrated which I got back around April. I tried the digital outs back then and preferred line out instead but now that it's all broken in, just today I tried the coax out and was floored by what I heard. 

I think I listened to 6 CDs non stop and the clarity is off the hook, and this is with an old Zu Audio Wylde coax cable. At first it was off a bit here and there, but overall it revealed more musical info with the cleanest presentation I've heard in my system. As the day wore on, it got better and better, to the point where I'm calling Audio Envy tomorrow about their coax cable.

It's built like the proverbial tank with a power section that takes up about 1/3 of the interior real estate and it's completely encapsulated so as to not contaminate anything else. Here's a nice review of it for you to check out.

I know reviews are a dime a dozen but this seems to be the real deal, at least to me. Technics seems to be on a roll lately. Hope this helps in narrowing down things for you.

All the best,
Nonoise

@lpretiring 

You shut your unit down when not listening? I keep mine in standby status when not listening. It draws less than 0.5 watt  in this mode. Seems like a bad batch of RS2T  were released. Other owners I’m aware of have had trouble free ownership same as me.

Charles 

@charles1dad Wait, I’m confused.

My wall wart which has been in service while I await the Nikola II is always plugged in. However, for each attempted listening session I would utilize the small power lever on the front of the RS2-T that when activated yields that small blue light.

Is stand by just with the power supply active?

@lpretiring 

You can select standby mode with the remote (Upper button). This also turns off the screen but keep the unit in standby.

@charles1dad

Thank you Charles.

With my chair right next to the transport I never used the remote.

I guess I should have previously paid some attention to the instructions that I just looked at.

Maybe if I had I might have been able to listen until the replacement arrives.

Good evening:  I received a RA number and a shipping label today from The Music room to return my Non-working Rs2T project. I am so upset,  that Yes, I've had to return 2 units in a period of less than two weeks because they didn't WORK properly. For those of you that have one and working properly, I envy you. I went back today to my Audio lab 6002 transport, (Meitner MA-1 DAC)  listening for an hour to what I thought was a good Transport, which it is. However, it doesn't hold a candle to the project transport. The project is so HIGH END, it's not funny. I actually feel lost now. With the project I actually felt that I had a brand new CD collection. It was actually exciting to listen again!!!!  I really want my project back, BUT, ONE THAT ACTUALLY WORKS!!!!! What is wrong with this company, they have a winner here!!!!!!  Don't they realize it??????   I am now at a loss as what to do, and what to buy. After being burnt twice, do you try a third????  I would be a monster if the 3rd one didn't work!! Not sure what to do at this point. Those of you that have a working model, know what I'm talking about. Don't know how JAY"S compares, whether it be the cd2 mk3 or cd3 mrk3?  just feeling lost. Jays offers a year warranty and Project a 2year. Thanks for letting me Ramble. Have a good evening.

@robshaw

For those of you that have one and working properly, I envy you. I went back today to my Audio lab 6002 transport, (Meitner MA-1 DAC) listening for an hour to what I thought was a good Transport, which it is. However, it doesn’t hold a candle to the project transport. The project is so HIGH END, it’s not funny.

Robert , your “rant” is understood and warranted. As you have so clearly stated they RS2T is a superb CD transport on sonic grounds, I knew it would mate wonderfully with your Meitner DAC. I wanted you to hear it for yourself, and your listening impressions mirror mine.

I do feel bad that you’ve had 2 units and both have demonstrated quality control issues. It makes me frustrated, I have been very upfront and forward in encouraging you to go in this direction because of my excellent experience with this transport. I have had zero issues, it really bothers me that you were denied the same outcome as mine. From the first moment I heard it in my audio system, I knew immediately it’s a keeper.

Well, at least you know for yourself how great sounding this CD transport is. And one more chance with it? If not I totally understand. The 2 alternatives mentioned on this thread yesterday are seriously worth consideration.

1 Jay’s Audio CD transport (Highly praised by many)

2 Technics SL G700 multi function component.

Robert I believe that both of these would exceed your Audiolab transport, just as you found with the RS2T.

Charles

OP, Honestly, I would say two strikes and you are out. Clearly there are some manufacturerimg problems. There are so many spectacular products on the market… move on.

So sad

FWIW, it’s 3 strikes and you’re out, though I got your meaning. Still...

Anyway: A very close friend (been in the industry for 5 decades) who could easily afford the RST 2 bought the Pro-Ject DS3 CD player (maybe he knows something), "which has the same servo mechanism- the Blue Tiger CD-80 from Stream unlimited and the same mechanism used in our fantastic CD Box RS2T reference". It can also be used as a transport, but is slot loading (MSRP $899). In the meantime, you can keep using your CDT6000

hth

I'm really sorry for your experience @robshaw and it brings to mind a similar one I had decades ago. It was at a dealer where I did a lot of business and we had a SNAFU with a product where it was one problem after another. "Maybe we need to do something different," he said. "This is supposed to be fun."

He was right. When the frustration exceeds the joy, it's time to make a change. There are other transports.

Thanks all. After having the taste of honey, and then having it taken away!!!  Will most likely contact The Music room, and asking " How do I get a WORKING model of the RS2T?????  Then wondering about each of the JAY'S units? 

Tweak 1 suggested $899 DS3 CD player from project. I'm sure if dollars and cents mean anything, it is a much lesser unit that the RS2T. How do you defeat the player aspect and use it just as a transport, all my hook ups are Balanced on my Benchmark LA-4 line AMP.

If anyone can comment on the Jay's units, that would be great. Tks

@robshaw Not sure how TMR is going to be able to answer your question, but good luck with it. In the interim , below is the Audiogon link to every Jay’s Audio thread where you should be able to get a read on their transports

Pro-Ject gear has always struck me as vastly overpriced given its sub-par build quality and reliability that seem to be the stereotype of products manufactured in former Eastern Bloc countries. I’m sure they’ll get there, but they don’t seem to be there yet. FWIW Pro-Ject’s headquarters is in Austria but their factories are in Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

If you’re shopping in the $3K price range for a CD transport/player, why not look at some of the Japanese-built gear from the long-time players like CEC, Denon, Marantz, Technics, Luxman, Esoteric and the like? Heck, Music Direct has the Marantz SA-KI Ruby on sale for $3K right now which is a staggeringly good deal for the quality on offer. The Denon DCD-A110 is also a phenomenally high-quality component with performance to match.

There are so many options to look at in this segment beyond Pro-Ject that’ll deliver the experience you’re looking for. Given your experience with Pro-Ject, I’d recommend you start looking elsewhere.

I have been using Bel Canto transports for decades. Love the small footprint and they sound wonderful. Just my opinion.

RobShaw. Received my RS2T Thursday. The Bad: I could hear something rolling around before I opened the box. Opened the top on the RS2T and surprise, there is a long screw rolling around in the unit. Found its resting place, - one of the screws that holds the top door hinge. Turns out the little torx tool that comes with the unit was the correct fit for the wondering screw. Damn Germans and their torx. Anyway, both screws were loose. Corrected same. The Good: The unit was not damaged by the screw. Been flawless in its operation. I cant believe how much better this unit sounds then my Cambridge CXC. What are these folks doing that improves the sound quality of a stupid transport? Secret internal DSP? Very happy with the results. I'm using the AES output to a Schiit Yggy. Old Threshold S-500 amp.

Regards,

John

. I cant believe how much better this unit sounds then my Cambridge CXC. What are these folks doing that improves the sound quality of a stupid transport? Secret internal DSP? Very happy with the results. I’m using the AES output to a Schiit Yggy. Old Threshold S-500 amp.

John,

Numerous factors are responsible for the high quality sound you’re hearing. In my humble opinion, I believe that the major contributing factor is the latest Stream Unlimited CD Pro-8  drive and Blue Tiger-84 servo card integrated unit. I hope that your RS2T continues to perform flawlessly (As has been my experience thus far). Congratulations!

Charles

John, so happy for you. I have been using my 6000 cdt audiolab, probably similar to your Cambridge. I know the joy your experiencing with the RS2T,as I did the same. Like having a new CD collection. I am going to try a third unit soon, as soon as the Music Room gets one. I hope the 3rd is the charm.  Two have already gone back. BEST OF LUCK, I'm jealous. Enjoy  Robert

At this rate it has to make sense to try the Jays. Multiple units coming defective. What’s the long-term longevity of the unit with this many QC issues? 
 

I myself use an Audiolab and have been thinking very hard about upgrading to the Project, but not with this failure rate. 

+1 kingdeezie build quality seems like an afterthought , especially given its price. A shame given the apparent sound quality that it produces. I went from a Cambridge CXC to a Simaudio 260DT , built really well and a nice step up in SQ, added to by switching from its SPDIF to AES/EBU connection. No idea how it compares to the Project or the Jay's SQ wise, but if I make another move I will try the Jay's top model given the questionable build of the Project that continues to be reported