Looking to replace a CD transport...

Project DS2 is a slot loader under 1K.  I have two of them and would rate their sonics as excellent.  

@jaymark 

Good recommendation. Pro-Ject seems quite adept at making exceptionally good sounding CD transports regardless of the price target.

Charles

Jays Transport, 2495 new.

Excellent, feel, sound and quality

I just purchased an Audiolab CDT6000, but using Audioquest Cinnamon Coaxial into my McIntosh MA 12000, the CDs mostly sounded flat compared to streaming Qubuz/Roon via iFi Zen Streamer/iFi aftermarket PS and Cinnamon USB.

This might be a deficit in the McIntosh Coax/DAC, but the unit is going back.

I am relatively New to replaying CD's as a Source Material in my system, it has been Vinyl LP Source Material system for 35ish years with approx' the past five years having an enablement to replay CD's.

I am not short of CD replay experiences, I have been demonstrated many set ups over many years, it took quite a long time to be introduced to a set up that was such an influence to convince me to include it as a second Source in the system.

The main change of thought started due to a DAC that was offered, it is a bespoke built Tube DAC, this when heard used with quite cheap CDP's really got my attention, and I ultimately ended up purchasing it.

I had it used in various locations on different systems coupled to different CDP's/CDT's and in the end chose a CDT as the impression made was not easy to forget and was the presentation to aspire to, using all previous demonstrations as the comparison.       

Is their a specific reason the PS Audio - PW Memory Player is to be not included in a shortlist? 

I had been demonstrated the Perfect Wave Memory Player as part of my investigations for the DAC partnering.

It is this model that I ended up purchasing, which was found as a used item owned by a individual who has a very expensive HiFi/Entertainment System. The Perfect Wave and a Top of the Range Parasound CD Player was being compared in the system. The vendor made it known the Parasound was to be kept, as it was a multi functional device, that was on par with the SQ of the Perfect Wave, hence I arranged a price and purchase of the Perfect Wave.

I have had visitors and visited homes of others, who are with multiples of combined years of listening to CD, the assessment offered of the CD Source I have put together has been very reassuring and I am confident, there is not a great deal to be discovered that can better it, unless I spend much more money, or venture into the quest to find the next holy grail of CD replays.

That still does not stop me being tempted to take the DAC along to a Dealership approx' 15 Miles from my home and hook it up to a Jay's Audio Transport. Curiosity and Inquisitiveness is a strong influence, it is only the fact that at this stage, I would feel like a 'tyre kicker at a car sale', that I have not endeavoured.