audiotroy
thanks for the 411
thanks for the 411
A phenomenal new CD transport-Pro-Ject CD Box RS2 transport
I have had in-house for the last week Pro-Ject's new CD Box RS2 transport to review for the website Stereo Times. I was very curious to assess its performance because it uses the Pro 8 drive with the Blue Tiger CD-84 servo card. This drive was developed and built by StreamUnlimited a company started by the original Phillips designers that historically built the finest CD mechanisms. Only two other companies use the StreamUnlimited 8 drive and Blue Tiger CD-84 servo card, their pieces cost $16,000 and $39,000 compared to Pro-Ject's sane price of $3,000!
My reference for the last two years has been the excellent Jay's Audio MK-II transport that had out-performed much more expensive highly regarded transports in my system. Well, across every sonic parameter (transparency/micro-details-overall dynamics/bottom-end extension/purity of tonality- a much more airy sound-stage with wonderful 3D imaging) compared to the Jay's Audio transport.
That's way I titled this thread a "phenomenal new CD transport" because while not inexpensive, it just might be a bargain based on its performance. Mind you, this superlative level of performance is based on using the switching power supply that Pro-Ject ships the transport with. I have shortly coming a custom 20 watt 3 amp linear power supply from Linear Tube Audio and Pro-Ject's own upgraded power supply to see if the RS2 transport performance will even go to a higher qualitative level of performance.
I'll be writing a full detailed review for Stereo Times in the near future. However, I wanted to share this information to GON members who still spin CDs. I have had numerous CD transports in for evaluation and this just might be the best sounding of all of them.
Teajay (Terry London)
My reference for the last two years has been the excellent Jay's Audio MK-II transport that had out-performed much more expensive highly regarded transports in my system. Well, across every sonic parameter (transparency/micro-details-overall dynamics/bottom-end extension/purity of tonality- a much more airy sound-stage with wonderful 3D imaging) compared to the Jay's Audio transport.
That's way I titled this thread a "phenomenal new CD transport" because while not inexpensive, it just might be a bargain based on its performance. Mind you, this superlative level of performance is based on using the switching power supply that Pro-Ject ships the transport with. I have shortly coming a custom 20 watt 3 amp linear power supply from Linear Tube Audio and Pro-Ject's own upgraded power supply to see if the RS2 transport performance will even go to a higher qualitative level of performance.
I'll be writing a full detailed review for Stereo Times in the near future. However, I wanted to share this information to GON members who still spin CDs. I have had numerous CD transports in for evaluation and this just might be the best sounding of all of them.
Teajay (Terry London)
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- 338 posts total
@tweak1 EVS doesn't do Oppo 105 mods anymore, and no way I'm buying another 105 (modded). I do get the idea of burning CD's and putting them on a server, there are many folks who say that it does sound better vs just spinning the disc on a player. Issue is that you can't burn SACD's (except with a 105!). I eventually may go that route. But I do have an issue with buying a server that has non-removable internal storage (HDD or SSD). That's why I prefer the Roon Nucleus (don't own one yet). You can swap in and out your own storage. What happens if a drive fails on an Innuos? Not sure about 432Evo, if it is removable or not. Both are based in Europe, so if you have an issue maybe you have to send the units to Europe? Sorta like my thoughts on active speakers vs passive. Would never buy and active speaker again after my experience with a Paradigm sub. $2500 for a Studio 12 Sub, a great sub when it worked. It died after 12 years, was never moved, was on protected circuits so no issue with power surges, etc. Totally pampered environment for its entire life. And it just died. 12 years is not long enough-- it should last 20+ at least. And Paradigm says it would cost $1750 just for replacement parts. Insane. Getting off topic-- sorry. |
fred I hear you on active speakers. I might have some good news pertaining to your powered sub. Ebay has lots of listings for plate amps (cheap too!). Maybe one will drop right in. Technics has a newish SACD player that interests me when my 1105 kicks it https://www.whathifi.com/us/reviews/technics-sl-g700 |
Fred, Dont believe everything you read (Server vs CD player). Might be true in some cases if your using low quality players like an Oppo/Cambridge etc Definitely is NOT True if you have something like an Esoteric/MSB/DCS/Luxman player/Dac at your disposal...and thats without the option of adding a Master Clock into the equation. (Cant add Clock to Luxman) |
- 338 posts total