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SLOT LOADING CD MECHANISMS - DO THE DAMAGE CD'S?

Of recent, I have been considering the purchase of a new CD transport (no DAC). There are several that have caught my attention; - - one in particular is made by AUDIOLAB. The one factor that leaves me "hanging", conceptually speaking, is the fact that AUDIOLAB exclusively uses "slot loading" CD mechanisms.
I have owned a couple of good quality CD players employing this type mechanism, and in both cases, eventually discovered marring to the playing surface of the CD. I am fanatic about proper preservation of CD playing surfaces. I certainly don’t want more CD’s ending up in the garbage can. (and I don’t like polishing, making a bad situation, worse !)

In turn, I have read many articles and customer reports complaining of the same issue. I consider AUDIOLAB products to be of a quality and performance level that leaves me somewhat dumbfounded as to why they would employ the use of a questionable mechanism that has so many historic issues.
So, what have they done that would be any different than other companies using this concept? I can’t imagine that they would invest the R&D money to develop their own proprietary mechanism.
Anyone out there that can validify the credibility (or lack of) AUDIOLAB’S use of "slot loading ?. Direct experience would help the most.
128x128axpert
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

Slot loaders are usually cheap Chinese transports so are their lasers, and are used in cars and computers.

Just look at what happens to your CD’s that were used in the car, the slot loaders do put many fine scratches across the CD’s.

Tray load or top load the better way for quality transports, and many are Philips, Sony, Teac, Sanyo etc etc

Cheers George
axpert's avatar
axpert OP
124 posts
 
Thanks "FUZZTONE". I am aware of the PRO-JECT piece. Very interesting, but by the time I pair it up with a respectable performing high performance DAC, the total will be beyond my budget spectrum. The AUDIOLAB piece is an excellent performer in it's (my) price class.. But the loading mechanism issue lingers. The suggestion of making "throw away copies" is just not my style. Guess I am still hoping to hear from someone that has an AUDIOLAB transport. Nothing like "hands on" experience.
hotei
159 posts
 
I looked up audio lab and didn’t see pricing.  I just purchased an ARC CD3 MKII.  It’s solid state and a top loader.  I love the sound it produces.  However it can be a challenge to place the cd and put the magnetic puck on.  I’m getting use to it because it sounds fantastic.  I’m running it through a tube integrated.  
wolf_garcia
6,726 posts
 
The good news with slot loading is you can toss the CD across the room and see if you can land it in the slot...takes practice but totally worth it...
bhagwanh's avatar
bhagwanh
4 posts
 
Greetings from the UK!

I am in the position to own the Audiolab 8300 cd player with its slot loading mechanism and have no problems at all. This is also the case with my Honda Jazz which has the same tech.

As my dear mother says to me if you started today to play all the cds you own you'd be dead before you finished.

Here is a link to Audiolab UK. They will be very helpful get in touch.  Jan Ertner is the designer message him on instagram.

Hope this helps

BhagwanH
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