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Aurender Music Server and CD Transport comparison

I am in the market for a CD transport and I want it to sound as good as my Aurender N100C. How far up the chain do I have to go to get sound that is equal or better than my Aurender? My choice so far is a Jay's Audio CDT2 Mk3 but could I go to an Audiolab transport like the 9000CDT? Should I go as high as the Jay's Audio CDT3-Mk3 I don't want to spend anymore money than I have to since the more I spend the more I get diminishing returns.

The system is Aurender, NAD M2 Digital amp, B & W 805 D4 standmounts.

blakcloud
bigkidz
3,387 posts
 

@sns - comments are spot on.  Other options are CEC Tl-2X not in current production but an excellent sounding transport.  The Pro-ject was the best sounding transport we tried. Older options are the Marantz CD-93 (I think that is the model number or CD-84) and then an older Metronome.  Not sure what they offer today.  They are build very well and offer a very musical sound.

Happy Listening.

gareents
65 posts
 

@blakcloud ,

I do not understand why you (or anyone for that matter) would use a CD transport when you can rip all of your CDs to a hard disk. The hard disk would connect to your Aurender. Will then have the all of the digital information without the mechanical problems of a CD transport.

curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
4,764 posts
 

@blakcloud 

My first thought would be to order the 9000CDT from someplace like Crutchfield.  If you don’t like it, send it back. Jay’s is good stuff, but you can’t send it back if you don’t like it, just like Denifrips.

jl35
4,014 posts
 

I love playing CD's ... sound great, easy to use, and 35 years problem free...I think many here like CD..I also like streaming and LP...

benanders's avatar
benanders
234 posts
 

blakcloud OP

14 posts

 

Very typical here and on other forums. I ask for an apple and you all tell me I need an orange. Somebody knows the answer and that is who I am waiting for.


@blakcloud the distance up the playback chain you need to go might seem uncertain but will start with your music itself: will the CD’s you use be the same as the album files your streamer plays? As in, if the exact same masters/releases/pressings/etc. are not being pushed through cd transport and streamer, there is no way for even the most comparable cd transport and streamer to aim for what you want.

If you expect tracks on your CD’s and whatever version of an album/track is on the streaming service(s) you may be using to sound the same, that’s an equation no one anywhere is gonna have an answer for. 
That make sense?

 

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