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CD Transport VS Streamer

I recently purchased, and returned an Audiolab CDT 6000, because compared to my Bluesound Node 2i, the highs were rolled off and the bass wasn’t as strong.  Im comparing 16/44 tracks to a cd.  I figured it was just the Audiolab CDT 6000 so I returned it and bought a Cambridge CXC instead.  Well, it appears that the CXC is doing the same.  
To clarify, I am using the same dac and the same digital coaxial cable.  I am actually unplugging the digital cord from one device and then plugging it into the other.

The high hats and cymbals seem pretty set back and harder to define on the transports vs the bluesound.  The bass isn’t quite as full on the transport either.

I don’t think I would have ever thought that the CDT or the CXC sounded inferior until I switched back to the bluesound and noticed a difference.  The bluesound really puts forth these high frequencies and allows me to really hear high hats and cymbals as well as putting a pleasant sheen on vocals.  The bass is slightly fuller on the bluesound as well.  The sound through the CDT and the CXC is slightly dull.

This is a bit disheartening because I figured that a $600 transport playing hard copies of an album should match if not surpass a $500 streamer / dac playing files from wifi.

Has anyone else experienced this?  Im to the point where I’m questioning if the transport needs to be burned in or if It is possible that streamed files (cd quality, not high res) just actually sound better than cd’s.

My only reason for buying a transport and buying cd’s is because I don’t want to be reliant on an internet connection or my phone, in order to listen to music.  If my internet goes down while in a listening session or if I ever lost my phone for an evening, I’d have no music.  But, and this is a big BUT, I don’t want to spend $600 on a transport and hundreds on CD’s in order to end up with something that sounds inferior to a $500 streamer streaming music.

Any shared experiences with this will be helpful so Thank You ahead of time!

-Bruce

128x128b_limo
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 


Sorry, different for us , when we've spent the day comparing.
Highs always sounded a little etched/forward from owners that brought equipment to my place.
We compared on my ESL's with either streaming the same version if we can find the same least compressed versions, or copying the same version of my CD on theirs and put it up against my CD transport using my MSB discrete R2R as the dac, using the same CD.
My collection are the least compressed usually earliest versions, not re-masters or re-issues or latest versions. 
http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/list?artist=supertramp&album=Free+As+A+Bird

BTW the Cambridge CXC is very good for the money mine cost $490aud new, but it's still a budget transport. And as for the CDT6000, just compare the innards against the CXC
My old Arcam Delta 250 transport is better than the CXC. And Wadia WT2000 even better again.

Cheers George
 
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,600 posts
 
My NAD CD player sounds equal or mostly better than my Bluesound  Qobuz Studio into the same DAC. I come out if the DAC balanced.
mahler123
3,322 posts
 
Using my Bryston BOT as a CD transport clearly bests my Bluesound into the same DAC
soix
9,456 posts
 
Why not just sell the Node and upgrade to a Vault 2i, rip all your CDs into it and get rid of the transport altogether?  Or, if you’re really looking for something better, pick up a used Innuos Zen Mk3.  That’s what I’d do anyway.  Best of luck. 
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