Is it worth upgrading a CD player?

After finishing my 3 arm TT setup, I decided to go for a better sounding SACD/CD player.

Not interested in a separate DAC, but a great sounding player. OMG, I went thru many players, until I found a vintage Sony xa5400es. Asked, and many here loved theirs

https://positive-feedback.com/Issue47/sonyscdxa5400es.htm

I am re-discovering my many CDs, even buying used CDs, it’s that good.

My point is: in your case a transport and separate DAC has to be as good as a great sounding CD player. You have the option od a great sounding player and a separate DAC for streaming.

Using a good DAC and CD transport will make a difference.

The accuracy of the data stream to the DAC is very important. The comments suggesting otherwise may not be the best advice. However, if you can not hear the difference why bother.

If you can hear the difference then spending your money wisely is a good plan. I would suggest using a belt drive CD transport is worth the money. The performance will beat the direct drive.

I am not a fan of the Chinese knockoff's.

I would also like to point out that I am the CEC distributor in the Americas. Follow the link for more information.

@vthokie83 @mitch2 @charles1dad  I an considering the Jays two transports as well.  The digital cable is also important to consider in separates.  Not just any cable will do (unless maybe it's a balanced digital cable).  

The Project transport is only 6 lbs and requires another $800 linear power supply to make it outstanding per reviews.  The Jays looks so good and has the option of an improved clamp, transport springs...for about $400.  The question I have is the quality of Jays regulators, power supply caps, filter caps, etc.  Are they lower quality computer grade or better/top grade audiophile types?   Can they be made better?

I've gone through over a dozen transports for my three $3K to $9K DACs I tried (and kept 1).   I upgraded the caps and regulators in most.  All with IEC power cables (my high end A/C cables).  The Cambridge (sorry) was among the worst.  Maybe the Audiolab is better but an Emotiva CD player (2 and 4 tested) bested the Cambridge by a large margin (latter was thin sounding, minimal bass and minimal depth).  The PS Audio latest transport was also a no-show.  Great concept but not good sounding (bad execution-possibly the fault of the tranport itself).  

I am currently using a very souped up Philips CDM9 transport unit which has new power, filter caps, regulators, etc.  It just sounds great but is long in the tooth, could fail anytime (1 unit had a blown fuse resistor on the power board with floated diodes-trying to repair it).  

I also played with many digital cables.  I ended with Synergistic Research Atmosphere X Euphoria SPDIF/RCA for $1500.  Just great!!!  Ate up all the others.

Second SR cable I've tried (Foundation digital first). 

I don't recommend the Foundation series unless you try it with your system first.  It had a weird frequency response, warm bass, full mids with instruments going in and out, peaky (not shrill) highs with virtually no soundstage/depth.  

@fleschler

1. Yep, the Pro-Ject RS2T definitely has a small form factor as intended for the smaller footprint goal. It is supplied with a wall wart SMPS. They offer an optional LPS or one can purchase another brand of LPS.

All I can pass along to you is, this transport has fabulous sound quality. Yes, even with the SMPS. I did purchase an external LPS and it did improve further. IMHO the RS2T is a terrific CD transport as numerous reviews have attested. However, I understand it just may not be for you. No single component/product will please everyone, that’s for sure.

2. I do believe that the Jays Audio transports would be an excellent choice for you. Earlier in this thread (11/14) I posted a link to reviews of the Jay’s audio CDT3 MK III. In the Hifi Advice review comparisons are made between the CDT3 MK III and their CDT2 MK III.

The flagship CDT3 MK III is considered the clearly better transport, granted at 2x the cost. A number of factors were given as to why this is so. Given what you are seeking, I believe their flagship model is what you are looking for. I strongly suspect you would be very happy with this choice. If the RS2T didn’t exist, I would own the CDT3 ML III.

Best wishes

Charles

I have had a Rega CD player for 30 years. The remote died a decade or more ago. Otherwise still going strong and with the little rubber thingy that I put on the CD itself when I use it, I have found no reason to upgrade.

caveat: I own about 400 CDs and 5,500 LPs.