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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
stuartk OP
2,867 posts
 
georgehifi; I was actually intimating that, as my system is relatively inexpensive, my concern about using an inexpensive transport might strike some as odd. The only two audiophile friends I have own much, much, more costly systems, so that's all I have to compare mine to.

Thanks for your input re: merits of Sim vs. Cambridge. I'm pretty clue-less when it comes to knowledge of CD drives. Here, the Sim costs 
$2000 US but, as mentioned, I haven't found an option for a home demo. 

I am aware that such an option exists for the Cambridge and from more than one online vendor but I do appreciate your input! 






falconquest's avatar
falconquest
1,108 posts
 
@stuartk @mooglie I would highly recommend checking out CEC as others here have suggested. If you want to get in touch with the U.S. Distributor, contact Nick Gowan at gowanattsounddotcompany and he will help you. I purchased a TL-1 and it has been fantastic!
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Op

just to second the digital Apogee cable choice as that is what I am using on my C.E.C via aes/ebu right now.

pretty darn impressive for $42.
mooglie
101 posts
 
I tried to purchase a CEC TL5, but the US distributor would not respond to me.  I even got in touch with Pascal at Mutine who said the TL5s were not available to him. Maybe they’ve changed distributors? Or, perhaps with the exchange rate CEC doesn’t like selling TL5s in the U.S.?
stuartk OP
2,867 posts
 
mooglie:

Did you approach Nick Gowan ?


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