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Which good CD transports can be found in the used market?

I've used the Mac "Superdrive" cd/dvd transport that came with my Mac Mini to play and rip CD's into iTunes. So i know that I'm not getting the best quality 1's and 0's I listen to.   As I'm retired and on a budget, am unable to go out and buy a Cambridge CXC or the like.   Which older-model cd players, dvd players or stand-alone transports do you suggest I consider ...and at what price might I be able to find them?  Thanks, people!!
waterzlife
minorl
1,021 posts
 

any pioneer elite unit makes wonderful transports and some have four DACS which makes great CD Players also.

I have found the following to be outstanding transports.

1. Pioneer Elite DV-09;  Built like a tank, seriously overbuilt and outstanding transport.  May not play all types of discs.

2.  Pioneer Elite BD-09;  wonderful Transport and CD player

3.  Pioneer Elite DV-79AVi:  great transport and also great CD player

4.  Pioneer Elite BDP-95

Any of these can be had for a small amount of money.  People "upgraded" because they wanted 1.  a Blue ray play, so they sold the CD player.  But, if you only want a CD Transport, the DV-09, BD--9 and DV-79AVi are hard to beat as transports. 2.  HDMI for their blue  ray players.  Same arguments as above.  3. loading speed. 

I have compared these as transports only into my Audio Research DAC 8 and they are absolutely wonderful.  Also, the DV-79AVi, BD-09 and BDP-95 as CD Players are very close to the transport/DAC combination using the DAC 8.

Four internal DACs go a long way.

The prices are very low for each of these, from $150 to around $800 tops.  you can't beat these for the money and sound quality.  Anything under  $2000 new today would have a very hard time beating these units.

Also, they look great with the dark wood side panels.

I still have my original Pioneer Elite PD-65  in my office and it sounds and looks great also.

Enjoy

reubent
7,093 posts
 
If I was in the market for a CD player/transport today, I would buy the CEC unit that @mofimadness referenced previously. Better hurry, it probably won't be available for long....
chuckjonez
34 posts
 
I would add Rega CD players. They are built like tanks and do not have a sliding drawer. Older Planet models are affordable when they come along. 
skiroe's avatar
skiroe
131 posts
 
Re/VRDS---If I recall correctly --some versions of that transport are  not deserving of the VRDS signification.    See Lampizator  website ---likely his older webpage and he has some examples on there of so called VRDS that are obvious ploys on close examination.  Suffice to say if I were to consider buying a VRDS I would want to be sure that it was the real deal .     Heres a link I  just re-found     http://lampizator.eu/LAMPIZATOR/REFERENCES/TEAC-T1/VRDS-T1.html
I have 3 vintage transports here ,, all using what are considered to be the best of the Philips transports.  My Museatex C-lok   has the CDM1 mk2, It has been gone through by Stephen Sank who is a microphone restorer among other things .  He very much favors  the Museatex  and grabs them whenever and wherever he can.   My PS Audio Lambda has the CDM9 pro and my Rotel  RDD980   sitting on the shelf uses the CDM9.   CDM9 is generally thought of as the last of the best made Philips.    The best part is my Lambda and Museatex cost me 400 or less.  I saw a Lambda on Agon with an asking of $1k just this year.    My Rotel cost me $150.   The Lambda sees the most service as it is in my main system.   The Museatex in the bedroom and not used much.    It probably has one of the hardest to read screens in the business..  not much went into it re/ making the print stand out nor the lighting.  Have to be a few feet away at the most. lol    That was probably the case with a lot of 90's units.  Well,  that doesn't affect the sound nor does one sit and watch the screen while listening to a cd.          
deepee99's avatar
deepee99
86 posts
 
The top-loading Rega is a good choice. Oppo makes a lot of industry-standard drives as well. HHB's upside-down tray drive was probably the best. Not sure they're made anymore but look on FleaBay.
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