pro-ject cd box rs2 vs jays audio cd2 mk3

I bought an open box RS2 transport from Music Direct and it was a lemon.  It had great trouble locking on disc's.  The problem was present when it came in but got progressively worse to the point that I had to return it.  Jays audio transport is built much better.  It is also available while the RS2 is not.  My compromise will be to get another Jays audio transport and have my modder upgrade it including building a state of the art linear power supply.  I will sell my excellent linear tube audio power supply for the RS2.  

Jumping ahead to late December 2021, I can say from personal experience that the Pro-Ject CD Box RS2 T is STUNNINGLY better-sounding than the Jay's Audio CD2-MK3 transport, even when the Jay's is linked to my Holo Audio MAY KTE DAC via its i2s HDMI-style interface! 

My Pro-Ject CD Box is connected to my Holo Audio MAY DAC by the best-available method, AES/EBU, using a Shunyata Research Alpha Digital v2 AES/EBU 2-meter cable, and "this combo beats the pants off" the Jay's. 

What really gets to me is that before I ordered my Jay's Audio MK3 CD transport, I did a LOT of searching-around on the Internet for the best value-for-money CD Transport out there, and the Jay's Audio unit was the only one I could find.

Later, quite by accident, I chanced across a reference on Audiogon.com to the Pro-Ject CD Box. Before, I had NO idea it existed! As it happens, during my search for reviews of the CD Box, I found one for sale here in Chicago, at Music Direct, so I grabbed it out of sheer curiosity, knowing i could return it if I didn't like it. 

I've had the Pro-Ject CD Box unit for just day, and I'm already literally overwhelmed by the detail I am hearing from my large CD collection, detail no other player or transport I have ever owned has been able to retrieve.

Now I'm in the regrettable position of knowing that I'm going to have to sell my Jay's Audio MK3 transport. It is a beautifully-made piece of audio gear - so it's a downright SHAME that Jay's didn't opt to use the new cutting-edge Philips-based-design CD mechanism used in the Pro-Ject unit. The build-quality of the Jay's Audio CD transport is exemplary - so it's unfortunate indeed that they based it on an obsolete, no-longer-manufactured CD drive and optical mechanism. Seems Jay's Audio scarfed up all the world's remaining stock of this obsolete drive, so they're good to go for a while to come, but the SONIC RESULTS the Jay's Audio MK3 produces come in a distant second to the CD Box RS2 T's. 

Hard to believe a humble CD transport mechanism can make THAT much of a sonic difference, but the proof of that is right here in front of us.

@ jaymark:  I am so sorry you had such a disappointing experience with your Pro-Ject CD Box RS2 T.  There had to be a reason why Music Direct was selling it "open box."  I live right here in Chicago so I deal with Music Direct in person, and they will stand behind you 100% and get your money back, 

Seems you've given up on the Pro-Ject unit, and I don't blame you for doing so after your experience of it - but if you get a good NEW working example of it, and your experience is anything like mine has been, you won't be disappointed!

@erictal4075 

Yes it seems that @jaymark acquired a defective unit, unfortunately it happens. My Pro Ject RS2T has been flawless in operation and is silent while in use. Best quality it possesses is superb Redbook CD playback. The designers/engineers sure knew what they were doing with this latest Stream Unlimited CD Pro 8/Blue Tiger servo  mechanism. Magnificent sound quality.

Charles

I have had my RS2 transport for almost a week.  I found an open box Pro-Ject linear power supply and together the sound is awesome right out of the box.

I will probably go down the AES/EBU cable rabbit hole but don’t believe a cable much over $250.00 will add much if anything to improve the sound.