A CD transport does in fact have output stages, digital output stages of course, to drive the digital outputs. And for balanced AES/EBU and coaxial S/PDIF the output stages must in fact be particularly robust, able to drive 110 ohm and 75 ohm loads respectively.
While I wouldn’t want to speculate on whether it would make any difference, you may want to consider breaking the unit in with a
75 ohm termination ($2.39) connected to the BNC output, and/or an identical termination connected to the RCA output via an
RCA-to-BNC adapter ($1.49).
Offhand I don’t know of any comparably inexpensive means of terminating the AES/EBU output, unless you want to create one yourself using a 110 ohm resistor and an XLR connector.
Also, for that matter, since per the manual all four of the outputs of this transport are apparently simultaneously active it ***might*** provide some sonic benefit if you were to permanently apply a termination to whichever of those outputs you are not using when you put the unit to actual use. That would prevent signals on the unused output connectors from reflecting back into the unit. Which the high frequency components of digital audio signals would do to a potentially significant degree if the connectors are left unterminated, conceivably resulting in the signal reflections coupling to some degree to unintended internal circuit points, with unpredictable consequences.
I have no thoughts on how or if the I2S via HDMI output should be treated with respect to these issues.
Enjoy the new equipment! Regards,
-- Al
