I understand they are very good but I don't like slot loading. Trays aren't much better.
I'm so superficial
I believe that there's something to that perspective. It seems that there are legitimate arguments for top loading CD mechanisms. Some of the most admired and regarded CD transports were top loading and many utilized the Phillips CD PRO-2 (Still used with the highly respected Jay's Audio transport) which is superseded by the Stream Unlimited CD Pro-8 drive.
The Pro-Ject is my first top loading transport and I really like this approach compared to my prior tray loaders. I have no experience with slot loading transports.
Charles