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Aqua 'La Diva' ($9k) or Gryphon 'Ethos' ($39k) versus. Pro-Ject CD Box RS2 T ($3k)?

What sensible rationale is there for buying either of the two above-mentioned VERY COSTLY CD spinners (Aqua ’La Diva,’ a CD-only transport, and the Gryphon ’Ethos,’ a CD player with built-in DAC) when we can get the same pure Red-Book CD digital output from the Pro-Ject CD Box RS2 T for FAR less money?

What is a potential buyer getting for their significantly increased expenditure other than fancy packaging and possibly a boost to their egos from ownership of a prestige brand-name item? The one component (and a crucially-significant one at that) which all three of these products have in common is the new Philips-based Stream Unlimited CD Pro 8 CD player mechanism. Aside than that, what one appears to get with the two far-higher-priced components is little more than pure window-dressing, not substantive gains in performance over the CD Box RS2 T.

It is little wonder that one reviewer of the RS2 T thinks of it as nothing less than a "giant killer," in that it makes it nearly impossible for any level-headed purchaser, even one with the means to spend lavishly, to rationalize spending thousands of dollars more on these two competing products (or on others like them) when one can get the same sonic results (which from most reports are splendid) from the humble little CD Box.

Any thoughts? Do we audiophiles finally have good reason to come to our buying senses? To me, Pro-Ject Audio Systems may have struck a true winning vein with their CD Box when prospecting for gold.

128x128erictal4075
tom6897's avatar
tom6897
1,484 posts
 

Probably more like splitting hairs. There are so many variables in each person's set up that most perceived differences could be caused by room acoustics, power delivery etc,....and each person's own hearing variability that changes on a daily basis. If you find a component that sounds great, reaching for that next 2-5% can be extremely expensive. My advise is to just consume more music!!!🎼🎵🎶

erictal4075's avatar
erictal4075 OP
70 posts
 

Both of you ask very good questions.

Answering yours first, jperry, I have the Pro-Ject CD Box RS2 T feeding via AES/EBU a Holo Audio 'MAY' KTE version DAC, connected to a Holo Audio 'Serene' KTE version preamp driving a pair of ATC self-powered 3-way studio monitor loudspeakers. I listen as well using an ifi iCAN headphone amp, fed from the MAY DAC, powering Meze Audio's Empyrean ELITE headphones, so I'm able to hear very well what this little CD transport can do. I have not heard either one of the two far-more-expensive alternatives, and I am curious as to why they are so much higher-priced than the CD Box.

In response to your equally good question, thyname, I am making a statement about how absurd I find the differential in price among these three CD players to be while at the same time asking if anyone else on this forum has any deeper knowledge of or experience with either of the two higher-priced components, who could shed light on their performance and possible reasons why they might recommend one or the other over the Pro-Ject despite their far higher cost.

ghdprentice
7,255 posts
 

Seriously? What is the point of buying a Porsche when you could buy a Volkswagen. If you are looking for transportation there is no substantive difference. If you are looking for the experience of responsive and elegant machine to experience moving from one place to another, another thing.

bobheinatz
725 posts
 

Most of these high priced brands are catering to a different clientele than your average audio buyer.  If you buy their DAC maybe the matching transport is a easy add on.  Is the quality and sound better?  It's only money and some have more than others.

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 

Seriously? What is the point of buying a Porsche when you could buy a Volkswagen.

A worn out cliche and stale default analogy. The transports under discussion share the essential and functioning guts that’s fundamental to excellent Redbook CD playback. The actual drive mechanism and servo control card, namely Stream Unlimited CD Pro-8 drive and Blue Tiger -84 servo. Acustic Arts has also chosen this dive unit for their flagship (18K) CD transport

Despite the wide variance in price point, the same drive mechanism was selected and for good reason, it’s the latest technology top loader unit available. I don’t know of an instance where a complete Porsche drivetrain is used in a Volkswagen (Correct me if I’m mistaken). I cannot say that these transports sound the same . Certainty there could be additional efforts toward fine tuning and tweaking with the expensive level transports/players.

 

There could be more extensive attention paid to isolation and vibration/resonance management etc. A higher level of aesthetic appeal and beauty. The CD Pro-8 drive seems to be the distinguishing feature that contributes greatly to the sound quality. No coincidence that these companies specifically chose this mechanism unit to build around.

I’d have to believe that for the very substantial cost increase these transports could very well surpass the Pro-ject RS2T in performance (You would think). That does not however diminish the significant achievement of the modestly priced (Relatively speaking) Pro-Ject, it is "superb" sounding and I mean superb. The reviews and forum testimonials from many are right on the mark (And they continue to grow in number).

 

Their decision to go with the truly excellent CD Pro-8 and place it in a CD transport with a price accessible to many music lovers is admirable and deeply appreciated.

Charles

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