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Small Form-Factor CD Player/Transport

I'm looking to see what's out there (and available in the US) as far as smaller CD units are concerned. Transport or Player, preferably front-loading, in that c.$1000USD range. Here's a short list of what I've stumbled across, thus far:

  • Pro-Ject CD Box DS*
  • Teac PD-301-X
  • Rega Apollo (but this is top-load, unfortunately)
brian_stabinger
curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
5,064 posts
 

I looked at the smaller format CD transports last year and found that they moved around a lot when ever you touched them. Inserting or removing a CD for instance. With my current setup, I can’t put weights on the units, so I ended up buying a full size CDT.

All the best.

JD

big_greg
6,699 posts
 

If you can find one, this is a cool little unit - Onkyo DV-SP205FX SACD player.  I think they are Japan only and will need a power transformer.  I think I paid less than $300 including the transformer for mine.  Maybe not and "audiophile" device, but it sounds great in my 2nd system and will play SACDs.

mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
5,275 posts
 

California Audio Labs (CAL) "Delta" transport.

rogerstaton's avatar
rogerstaton
22 posts
 

I think there is a sea change with CD Transports brought about by their I2S data output and DACs that can accept it. If there was a universal I2S format that ensured compatibility between all transports and DACs things would be much easier. I am looking at Pro-Ject and Heed CD transports with I2S to connect to my new Holo Audio Spring 3 v2 DAC.

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 

@rogerstaton I am looking at Pro-Ject and Heed CD transports with I2S to connect to my new Holo Audio Spring 3 v2 DAC.

The problem as you noted is the lack of an industry standard protocol. For example my understanding is that Pro-Ject is proprietary and only seems compatible with its sibling DACs.

If true then regrettable. Such an excellent sounding CD transport should have as much universal utility with other brands as is possible. I use my Pro-Ject  RS2T via Spdif to my DAC and it’s splendid.

Charles

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