Problem now with the transports is that neither Philips nor Sony make the pro versions because of lack in demand. The stuff going as Philips and Sony now is a cheap reproduction made somewhere in China, probably next to a cheap DVD assembly line. No much quality control there, everything goes out the door, no questions asked at those prices anyway.
That is why Accuphase is building now its own transports (weights about 8Kg). Sony stopped making the good transports some time ago. Teac and Linn took measures some time ago too.
So the other manufacturers are drawing from NOS transports, of which they bought many in anticipation of what is happening now.
I would make sure the manufacturer will service my CD long enough, or get a pickup head as a replacement now. I do not know how the future will look like for those transports, but not so nice if you paid dearly for your CD player .
As is happening with AA it will happen with every other CD player manufacturer who does either not make its own drive or at least put together something solid from bits and pieces sourced fron Sony or Philips. They call those "modified" now.
That is why Accuphase is building now its own transports (weights about 8Kg). Sony stopped making the good transports some time ago. Teac and Linn took measures some time ago too.
So the other manufacturers are drawing from NOS transports, of which they bought many in anticipation of what is happening now.
I would make sure the manufacturer will service my CD long enough, or get a pickup head as a replacement now. I do not know how the future will look like for those transports, but not so nice if you paid dearly for your CD player .
As is happening with AA it will happen with every other CD player manufacturer who does either not make its own drive or at least put together something solid from bits and pieces sourced fron Sony or Philips. They call those "modified" now.