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Reference Transports: An overall perspective

Teajay did a great job by starting a threat called "Reference DACS: An overall perspective."
I thought it might be beneficial to start a similar thread on transports.
Unfortunately I really have nothing much to say; I just hoped to get the ball rolling.

I'll start by throwing out a few names and a question:

Zanden 2000
CEC TL-0X
Metronome Kalista; T2-i Signature; and T2-A
Esoteric P-01; and P-03(?)
EMM Labs CDSD
47Labs PiTracer
Weiss Jason
Accustic Arts Drive 1
Ensemble Dirondo
Wadia 270se

I know that there are very few companies that actually make the drives themselves. The few I know about are:
Philips
TEAC
Sanyo/CEC

Do the various Philips drives or the TEAC VRDS transport mechanism each have a particular sonic signature regardless of which maunufacturer uses them in their designs?
exlibris
exlibris OP
438 posts
 
Anyone know what transport sounds good with Zanden DACs (other than the Zanden 2000 transport, of course)?
henryhk
648 posts
 
Is it just me? A disproportionate amount or % of the very best transports seem to be from Japan in origin...steadfast dedication to mechanical engineering & craftsmanship? Zanden, Esoteric, 47 Lab, etc. I don't think we can say the same for SS amps, DACs or speakers though of course there are the exceptions. Or am I just imagining things?
exlibris OP
438 posts
 
Henry,
You are right about the transports but some would say that Accuphase, Zanden, Kondo, Goto, and ALE and do a pretty good job in some of those other categories as well. As you said, 'there are exceptions.'
ubglub
76 posts
 
Teajay, who is the manufacturer of the ML-31.5 that you mentioned? thnks
enjoy_the_music
39 posts
 
Yes...and Victor. My XL-Z900 has one of the finest transports ever. It is the same as the one used on the Reimyo 777 copy...it is japan only!

So are the Sony R-series...far better than any ES series units...also japan only. They have super expensive fixed point pickup assemblies.

I have the CDP-R10 and CDP-R3...very rare and wonderful players that hold their own against the worlds best. The R10 is in the top few ever....built in less than 100 units for Sony top executives.

Richard
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