CD TRANSPORT THAT MAKES AN AUDIBLE DIFFERENCE

This argument has been going on since the mid 1970's when Phillips introduced optical recording of data. The issues have not changed.

When you are talking transports there are two types: direct drive and belt drive. Just like with an analog turn table the belt drive transport will sound different than  a direct drive. A good transport must be mated with an equally good D/A converter to achieve the best sound at a price point.

I have used the Berkley with a Cambridge before. Always sounded like it was missing something. The problem is always the same, vibration cause an error in the data stream and basic design of a direct drive transport is the root of the issues, noise bearings, large motor which has a cogging issue, and the motor is to close to the laser pickup. All of this goes away with a belt drive transport like the CEC (which I sell), the Audio Note and the BMC transports.

Ripping has the same problems, bit perfect is not perfect. This is due to the error rate in reading a CD over running the error correction. This was a known limitation of the "Red Book" standard at the time it was adopted, it is nothing new. Streaming is not the same as reading a data file.

If you want great sound out of a CD transport get one that adheres strictly to the "Red Book" standard. Most almost do, but not quite. Many manufacturers make a small adjustment in the design so that it will read a CD made on a computer, which absolutely does not adhere to the "Red Book" standard. The laser dot created for burning is the wrong shape.

Having said all that if you are happy with what you have, enjoy it. If you can not hear the difference, why waste the money. If you want more, get a belt drive transport which strictly adheres to the "Red Book" standard.

"Bits are bits. Even a 50c computer drive can read at <1 error per million.

Spend all your dough on DA converters. That’s where the evil of digital lies"

Funny, when I purchased a Mojo Audio EVO DAC Ben the man behind Mojo Audio asked me what transport I would be using with it,. I told him a Cambridge CXC. He responded, if you really want to hear the performance of the EVO consider upgrading the transport. He doesn’t sell CD transports so his comment wasn’t a sales pitch , rather it was advice from someone who has intimate knowledge of digital. He was spot on.

Sold my Cambridge CXC v2 transport, selling my CD collection and ripped CD’s that are unavailable for streaming…Done!  On my systems streaming sounded better and offers so much more.  

I still have about 1600 CD’s and am using an Audiolab CDT with a Denafrips Pontus ll. My next purchase is going to be a DDC. Haven’t decided which one yet. 

 

Using Marantz SA-8004 into MHDT Orchid. I am sure it could go somewhere, but might take other upgrades too.