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Resolving CD Transports Crowd Sourcing

Hi everyone! A couple of years ago I purchased my endgame CD transport- a Pro-Ject CD Box RS2T. Loved almost everything about the unit--highly resolving presentation, dead quiet background, balanced placement of instruments in a believable 3 dimensional soundstage, and  the synergy it had with my components. In fact I loved the transport so much I had two of them because Pro-Ject quality control and customer service is the pits. After almost a year of hassles, I'm swearing of Pro-Ject.

I'm in the market for a replacement CD transport that has the same qualities of the Pro-Ject minus the quality issues and customer service.

PS Audio, Jay's Audio, CEC, Audio Research (which are CD/DAC units) come up in my search. What are your thoughts? With all the bells and whistles the Pro-Ject was around $3300, so that gives you an idea of my budget, though I could go higher.

Thanks in advance!

wharfy
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 

@acresverde

The biggest quandary for me is, knowing that I can get a refurbed CD Pro 2 like the one in my AA drive from ENCO, is the CD Pro 8 that much better to justify the 20x cost to get the Aqua. I do expect it will sound better but <$500 also sounds pretty good compared to approx. $9000

When you put it in those terms I understand your dilemma. Certainly the discontinued Philips CD Pro 2 is a CD drive unit that has stood the test of time and was utilized in numerous top shelf transports. You have enjoyed its quality for 20 years so obviously you know its capabilities.

On the other hand I don’t believe it is a coincidence that The Stream Unlimited CD PRO-8 has been chosen by top level manufacturers for their upper tier CD transports. If budget is a major criteria then certainly a refurbished Phillips CD is very viable and prudent.

Charles

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 

@lalitk

You are correct. The CD drive units do not operate in isolation. They are a major contributor to the overall sound one ultimately hears. One has to judge the entire package as all aspects of the component matter. It is possible I could be placing too much emphasis/importance on the CD drive unit/mechanism.

My outlook/perspective could be a bit biased for that reason. I have the Pro-Ject RS2T transport that utilizes the Stream Unlimited drive and the sound quality is freaking excellent!!

Charles

lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,780 posts
 

Hi-Fi plus just posted a review on Aqua La Diva M2 transport, 

https://hifiplus.com/articles/aqua-acoustic-quality-la-diva-m2-cd-transport/?goal=0_ff6dfd0295-72f7c28bb2-162304461&amp;mc_cid=72f7c28bb2&amp;mc_eid=3e4d1f2edd

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 

Another review of the La Diva M2. Interesting comparison with the excellent Antipodes K50 and Grimm MU-1 music streamers.

https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/review/digital-reviews/cd-player-reviews/aqua-la-diva-m2/
Charles

acresverde
407 posts
 

@lalitk    My point in referencing the refurbed CD Pro 2 was that for less than $500 I could buy it and have it replace the current drive in my AA Drive 1 if the original drive were to crap out. Therefore, unless the Aqua smokes the fully functional AA Drive 1, the value proposition is squarely in the corner of the AA. I do suspect the Aqua will perform at a higher level but it will have to be more substantial than just "incremental" for this retired car salesman to consider it.

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