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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
minorl
1,021 posts
 
I have compared many CD players and Transports and for the money, it is really hard to beat the Pioneer Elite units.  The DV-09 is literally built like a tank.  Same for BDP-09. unit.

They are very inexpensive and are absolutely wonderful as Transports.

enjoy
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,327 posts
 
Word to the wise: Audiolab.
harrylavo's avatar
harrylavo
346 posts
 
I'm going to throw a curve ball.  Back in the SACD days, Pioneer put out a universal player (in this country designated 578A.) John Atkinson mentioned it in an article or review as having the most accurate instrumental timbres of even the most expensive players.  He wasn't kidding, folks.  I picked one up on closeout.  But beyond the timbre, the transport was the same as Pioneer (probably sourced from them) and has been far more reliable than the Sony's.  The amplifier stage is cheap and two dimensional, but as a transport it is rock solid compared to any of my other CD sources.  I use it with a BelCanto e1 3.0 DAC with excellent results.

Find one used, give them a $100 bill, and buy yourself dinner with the change.



4krowme's avatar
4krowme
542 posts
 
Let me ask, on the other end of things>>> The old equipment that you are using the CD with, has it been tested, rebuilt, or serviced? I ask mainly for the reason that old electronics have great potential, and are worth getting the electrolytic capacitors replaced in them. I know this firsthand, and would advise anyone with beloved equipment of more than 25 years old to have the equipment sent in for such a rebuild. Otherwise, in time the equipment will choose for you.
minorl
1,021 posts
 
The costs to buy a "built like a tank" CD Transport that was top of the line in its day vs buying a brand new one that is even close to its performance or even sending the older one in for service is minimal compared to spending thousands for a new one.

Take for example the Pioneer Elite DV-09 or BDP-09.  I've compared these against many, many CD players/Transports, many brand new and very expensive and they beat them all as Transports.  For $400 used, you just can't beat this.

People went through the upgrade path where they went from DVD players to Blue Ray players and got rid of their top of the line DVD players because they were using them for home theater also.  Well, my home theater system is totally different and in a different room from my 2 channel system.  

The DV-09 is just cool, the way the door opens and how solid it is.  The DV-79Avi is also nice.

But, in my 2 channel room is the BDP-09 and in my other system (office) is the PD-65 and the DV-09.  I really like the wood side panels on the Pioneer Elite stuff.

Anyway, just my thoughts on saving lots of money and getting top equipment.

enjoy
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