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Looking for comparisons between CD transports

I'm still a disc-spinner, having a pretty large collection of CDs across a range of genres, though mostly classical. About 2 years ago I bought an Audiolab CDT6000 and lived with it for about a month before deciding it wasn't my cup of tea and selling it off. While its clarity and soundstage were impressive, there wasn't sufficient heft to the music, and it seemed to favor the music's component parts rather than portraying a cohesive whole. 

I'm considering the Audiolab 9000, the Schiit Urd, and possibly the Primare DD15. That's the budget range I'm comfortable with. (Despite the glowing reviews, Jay's Audio is kind of out or range for me at this point).  I'd be grateful to hear opinions on how these transports stack up against each other from those of you who have heard one or more of them. It will be running through a Sonnet Morpheus DAC, if that info is helpful. Thanks!

 

 

cooper52
benzman's avatar
benzman
407 posts
 

I just installed a 701t to go with the T+A Dac 200. Kills my streaming setup which I thought was pretty good. Black background. Tone and definition. As oddiofyl mentioned this is a a leap from the Oppo 103 that I had “tried out” with the Dac 200.  
I really don’t have anything to compare it to in its price range but pretty damn happy. I do find myself listening to much more of the cd vs skipping around while streaming. Only on the 3rd day but it’s been on repeat for 48 hrs. Loving it so far!!

ghdprentice
6,953 posts
 

If your transport sounds better than streaming it is the fault of the streamer. 
 

Skipping around with streaming generally means a lack of musicality in your system somewhere… typically lack of mid-range bloom and PRaT. My system more than once edged over there. Now my streamers have me glued to music I never thought I would listen to. I accidentally play the wrong thing and will usually end up listen to it. 

benzman's avatar
benzman
407 posts
 

‘If your transport sounds better than streaming it is the fault of the streamer.’
 

George you have a system that most of us will never get to . Your Aurender is what over 20k? Congrats on working your ass off to get to that level  

I have had enough digital front ends from Auralic, Cary, Aurender,Lumin all in the 4-7 k range and none of them come close to the the sq of the Teac 701T . Of course lot of variables involved but we are talking redbook only on the Teac vs Hi-Rez files on the streaming and server side .  

I think skipping around a bit is just knowing you have hundreds kick ass songs available on Qobuz,Tidal and Local storage. 

It’s been like upgrading to a decent vinyl rig without the work. I am digging it  

 

ghdprentice
6,953 posts
 

You do not need to invest over $20K to get a streamer that will equal alternative formats. Obviously It will depend on your system and components. Typically today streaming can be done in the same ballpark investment range as alternatives. Takes some careful work to choose.

 

I cannot comment specifically on the Teac 701T. I have a fair amount of experience with contemporary streamers to believe given whatever the OPs preferences they could be equaled with the right streamer. 

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,790 posts
 

The 701t betters my Aurender N200 with 44.1k streams and many "remastered" hi res titles with Qobuz or Tidal.   The N200 is no slouch either....

I'm not quite sure what I'm getting with streaming.  Are earlier albums recorded prior the advent of CD just sample rate converted 44.1k files? Are they analog mastered in 24/96?  I know there a lot of copies of the same recording out there that don't necessarily sound the same.   What's really going on with the stream? Where are the originals sourced from?   

Some streamed content is amazing, some is kind of disappointing.     CDs through that 701t sound great,  even CDs that grated on me are very listenable. 

 I'm  glad I didn't purge my CD collection,  I'm rediscovering some great recordings

 

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