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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
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.
mooglie
101 posts
 

Your spdif cable might be a limiting factor, as could the power cables to the DAC and Jolida, to hearing differences.  You could probably get more resolution or shift the tone around with other cables. Cables can certainly affect the sound, sound staging, make it more liquid, etc.  Something you may wish to consider.


stuartk OP
3,016 posts
 
mooglie: perhaps I should clarify that I have no real complaints re: sound. My main aim is to increase longevity of my capacity for spinning cds without degrading the system's present sound.  I have no desire to burn discs or stream at this point and besides,  I actually enjoy handling physical media. 

The Jolida is probably 10 years old and the design is perhaps 15 years old-- I'm not certain. In considering a current model transport, I'm looking for something that will last as well as be serviceable (I'd want, like you, to buy an extra drive).  I thought an up-to-date, dedicated transport might also offer enhanced sound as an added benefit. 

However, the modded Jolida + Aqua sounds pretty darned good, so maybe, as uberwaltz has suggested, I might not be able to better it, significantly, for my budget. 





garrard
73 posts
 
As requested by OP:
Garrard 401/Garrard 301/EMT 948
Jay's CDT Mk2
Black Cat Silverstar Mk2 BNC to BNC
iFi ProDac
Accuphase C2120
Accuphase P3000
BAT VK75SE
Various DIY Open-baffle speakers

I'm more of an analogue guy, but CD is now a lot more enjoyable (CD was pre-Jay's for warm-up only).
soix
9,779 posts
 
If you're using an Empiracle Audio Offramp I'm not sure you'll hear all that much difference between transports, no?  I'd just buy this Bel Canto CD2 and be done with it.  Built like a tank...

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649501384-bel-canto-cd2/

I'd also highly recommend trying this digital cable.  It's only 40 bucks and it beat out my Stereovox (aka Black Cat) XV2 digital cable in terms of tonality and overall more organic and balanced sound.  It was also John Atkinson's reference digital cable for a while.  FWIW...

https://www.amazon.com/Geistnotes-Apogee-Clock-Cable-WE-BB/dp/B01N6XL1XW/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3ODRJOPRA5T...
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