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Open CD player design

Anyone with experience with players spinning cd's in the open (Ancient Audio, Isem, 47Labs et.al.), have you noticed sonic, mechanical or operating advantages or drawbacks or is it really merely a reminiscence of playing vinyl, nothing gained, nothing lost?
Thanks in advance.
karelfd
rbrowne
175 posts
 
I have a 47 Labs Shigaraki transport that I use with their matching DAC and have experienced no drawbacks to this configuration. I bought it for the sonic qualities. I personally like the aesthetics although it may not suit all tastes. The exposed laser lens does require maintenance with regard to occasionally blowing off dust from time to time but this has never been an issue and motivates me to keep this and my other equipment clean.
kgturner's avatar
kgturner
664 posts
 
i owned the 47 labs shigaraki combo for almost two years and never "dusted" the lens mechanism. i had no issues at all with the combo. i still use the dac, but i sold the transport in favor of my SB3.

the SB3 didn't outperform the shigaraki transport, but i could not honestly tell the difference between the two. my motto is, if two components sound the same, keep the cheaper and sell the pricier.
rbrowne
175 posts
 
I may have overstated the dust issue as it has never been a problem for me personally. The dealer I bought the Shigaraki transport from suggested blowing dust off the laser lens if necessary which would depend on the particular environment where it is situated. Keeping a CD on the transport or using the small plastic cover when not in use makes this a non issue in reality.
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