2. digital
  3. 147818-13640

Suggest Transports that can be Demo'd at home

I'm quite happy with my system (Silverline 17.5 monitors/Wells Majestic integrated/Aqua La Voce II/Jolida JD100 (as transport) but am wondering whether I ought to purchase another transport before they're no longer available.
$3000 would be my limit, budget-wise and longevity is a big concern. Used is OK, as long as unit is M. 

I have two caveats which make this tough-- 1) as a rule, I don't purchase any gear I can't first demo at home and 2)
I'd ideally prefer something made in N. America. Of these two qualifiers, the second is negotiable, but not the first.

I could demo a Bryston BCD-3 from Audio Advisor, but I'm not sure it makes sense to pay for a unit that includes a DAC I won't use. Also, I came across a comment in the Forums that the Bryston has fatiguing highs-- a flaw I particularly abhor. And, it's considerable over my budget. 

The Moon Neo 260D is not, as far as I can tell. possible to audition at home and I read on one of the AGon transport discussion threads that the drawer is flimsy. 

The Jay's Audio products look to be very good but I didn't see anything on their site about a trial period. 

A used PS Audio is a possibility, I guess, although I read that they used Oppo transports, which are no longer being made, so that's a concern from the longevity stand-point. 

 Any other units I should be aware of ??????????????

Thanks. 


stuartk
stuartk OP
3,016 posts
 
Mooglie: thanks for providing your sonic impressions of the Atoll. They are apparently available from a store in San Francisco by special order but even if they were in stock, I happen to know that particular store will not allow an  in-home demo. I already asked them about it re: the Sim Neo 260D and they turned me down.  

I was able to demo a friend's Heed Obelisk transport and was quite underwhelmed. 

itzhak1968: not sure how I'd be able to demo the CEC. 

garrard: Glad to hear you're pleased, having taken that gamble.  What is your system? 

mooglie
101 posts
 

I’d expect you would hear a difference with the Heed Obelisk. Perhaps the Jolida is not too bad? What type of connection and cable are you using?


stuartk OP
3,016 posts
 
mooglie:

I believe I borrowed my friend's digital cable-- it was a Zu, but I don't recall which one. I'm using  Blue Jeans bnc at present. I should also mention I'm using an Empirical Audio reclocker, which (hopefully) is eliminating whatever jitter the Jolida produces. 
stuartk OP
3,016 posts
 
mooglie: also, the Jolida was modded, so it definitely sounds better than the stock version. 
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
From the sounds of it you may have to spend a LOT to better your modded Jolida with the reclocker.

Sometimes the grass is not greener on the other side, been there and done that.

Sitting pretty happy with a CEC belt drive transport right now.

I know you likely cannot demo one but I was very impressed with the build quality under the hood.

And the SQ left my old OPPO spinning its wheels back on the line.
More to discover