Resolving CD Transports Crowd Sourcing

@thyname 

Very few people who buy a transport will care if it plays HDCDs but I wanted to point out the problem because a lot of people read these forums and maybe someone would benefit from knowing that. Berkeley makes the only current HDCD DACs that I know of but many vintage DACs and players have that feature. I also have a Krell KAV 250/2 player that has the HDCD feature.

I have to take issue with your comments about HDCD, however. There are a lot of titles that were recorded using HDCD and a bunch of my favorite artists used the format - Joni Mitchell, Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, Neil Young, Van Halen, Grateful Dead, Roxy Music, Dixie Chicks, kd Lang..... I could go on. Besides these well known artists there is a whole audiophile catalog on Reference Recordings that is HDCD encoded. There are also other audiophile labels such as Audio Fidelity and Audioquest that have released dozens of remastered tities using HDCD.

In my experience HDCD discs when played through top grade players and DACs typically sound significantly better than their regular counterparts. I've got 4 versions of CSN's CD including SACD and I like the HDCD version best. One of the reasons that HDCD sounds so good is because the Pacific Microsonic converters were pretty much the best of their time. Another reason is that the studios that invested in the Pacific Microsonics gear, which was expensive, tended to be the better studios staffed with the best engineers. The HDCD process itself gives a little more dynamic range and improves the sound as well. In nearly every case where I have the non-HDCD version vs. the HDCD version the HDCD sounds better. There are a few that I've compared that sound very similar but I've never heard an example where the HDCD is worse.

I have about two hundred HDCD titles out of a collection of around 4,000 CDs which is not a huge percentage but it is still significant. I actively collect HDCD titles because I like the sound of them and I have the equipment to decode them. I probably would have still purchased the Jay's Audio CD3 if I had known that it would not play HDCDs but I was disappointed to find this out after I bought it. It's such a nice piece of gear that will accept this particular fault.

David @wharfy 

I hear you on remastering. “Kind of Blue” is one my favorite recording. I used to own atleast 5 or 6 copies on CD’s but my search ended when I purchased 2011 release on K2HD. Granted, I haven’t heard every digital version but K2HD version is simply stellar.

If you’re a fan of Dexter Gordon, you must consider purchasing this version before they are gone! Once you hear these Blue Note gems, your investment in a high quality transport/DAC combination makes it worthwhile. Alan Yoshida is a master craftsman! 
https://elusivedisc.com/dexter-gordon-a-swingin-affair-xrcd24/

@lalitk -

Thanks for the tip! Just purchased. That's a terrific site, BTW. Lots of "candy."

David

@robshaw 

I go back and forth about purchasing another RS2T. I love everything about the sound. And at the price, it's a bargain. The CD Box reminds me of a Fiat ("Fixing it always trouble")  my neighbor once owned. When it was up and running it was a dream.

I agree TMR is a terrific dealer. I have had nothing but terrific experiences with them. They told me they wouldn't ship another RS2T until Pro-Ject/Sumiko addresses quality and customer service. I would like to add it CD Box back into my system, but at this rate I may be too old to fully appreciate what it has to offer 🤨

I've heard the Meitner MA-1 V2 DAC. It's very, very nice. I imagine you have terrific synergy. All best on your sonic journeys. I hope you find your "Holy Grail."

David

@wharfy 

I go back and forth about purchasing another RS2T. I love everything about the sound. And at the price, it's a bargain. The CD Box reminds me of a Fiat ("Fixing it always trouble") 

I understand your hesitation. To my understanding Pro-Ject is addressing and troubleshooting the problem (As they most certainly should). Although you enjoyed superb sound quality, a shame you had to endure the unnecessary reliability issues.

There are other fine CD transport alternatives undoubtedly. It's just that you're acutely aware of what you had sonically with the RS2T. A homerun concerning  performance, a dropped ball regarding consistent unit to unit quality control. I wish you the best.

Charles