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CD Transports

Greetings. I am setting up a second system for the basement and am using a 1978 Sherwood receiver. At first I was going to just use the turntable with it and play the tuner occasionally but then thought I'd like to play some CDs. In my main system I have a Rega Apollo R hooked up to an Exogal Comet/Ion. Clearly I don't need the DAC in the Rega so I reasoned that it may be better to transfer the unit to the basement and get a transport, namely the Cambridge Audio CXC, for the upstairs primo set-up. Does that sound reasonable? The CD format is moribund so I don't see the point of getting a top dollar one--most of my CDs are ripped on the laptop and I just kept some rare European favorites. I was also tempted to buy a 1995 Marantz CC 45 5-CD player for the basement, but it is probably not such a great performer. Do I reason correctly that the CXC is my best option? I think the DAC in their Topaz player is not as good but that sounds like a decent player too. Thanks for advice. rt
rtorchia
gavman's avatar
gavman
140 posts
 
Buy whichever Esoteric unit matches your budget.
I recently acquired the P03 - D03, and combined with Entreq grounding it is superb
krell_fan1's avatar
krell_fan1
103 posts
 
See if you can get your hands on a used PS Audio DMP transport on you’ll find yourself spinning discs again. It’s glorious as it reveals data and information you never knew was there. 
skiroe's avatar
skiroe
131 posts
 
I have 3 vintage transports all with Philips mechanisms the CDM9 being arguably the end of the better quality built mechanisms.   PS Audio Lambda is in my main system w/CDM9 pro.   Museatex  CD-D/Philips CDM1mkii, in bd,   and a Rotel RDD 980/CDM9 .   The Rotel is available and is listed on US Audio Mart for 199 plus shipping.  It includes a essentially new remote .    Ive had this Rotel for at least 10 yrs as a back up.  Not used much at all.   Quiet running and made back in the 90's when these companies were out trying to outdo each other for entry level high end.      
rtorchia's avatar
rtorchia OP
138 posts
 
For the record I did get the Marantz CC 45 5-CD player from 1995 to hold me over. It has Philips components and sounds great and cost me $50. I know 5-CD tray machines are anathema to audiophiles but they are very convenient, especially if you like Wagner operas. 
dr-john's avatar
dr-john
72 posts
 
My Moon 260D stand-alone transport came with a 10-year warranty.  No problems after two. Recently I paired it with the Moon 780D v2 DAC, and I now have the most transparent digital front-end I've owned in 20 years of spinning cd's.
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