Dedicated CD Transport vs DAC

Thanks for your thoughts on the LTA and not surprised it sounds great. I’ve also got a full loom of AZ cables so we’re definitely on the same page there. I also have an LTA MZ2 pre (with upgraded LPS) and know what you mean about their stuff not sounding overly “tubey.” The positive traits are there but just doesn’t scream tubes, which is what I really like about it and exactly why I bought it.

Anyway, I forgot to mention another cheaper option that would be to get DDC to improve the performance of your Rotel rather than buying a whole new transport. I bought a used DDC to try it out and kept it because it produced very significant improvements. Here’s a Denafrips Hermes that I believe you can return if it doesn’t transform the performance of your Rotel — my guess is it would with its excellent OCXO clock. Just another option again FWIW.

https://tmraudio.com/components/d-a-converters/denafrips-hermes-ddc-d-d-converter-4/

Strange the LTA has balanced out but no balanced in. That would be a more optimal choice if it did!

@soix  It would seem that we may have similar tastes with us both having AZ cabling and LTA products 

I appreciate you bringing up the DDC as an option and sharing the link for the Denafrips Hermes with me as well.  I'll have to try and learn more about that as a possible option.

Thanks again and best wishes,

Don

Don,

I had a Mutec MC3+USB reclocker / master clock that I bought for my Aurender's USB out.   That device can accept and distribute 10m and word clock .   The Mutec 10m ref clock is $$$ so I thought for now I would try the LHY OCK-2  by Jay's Audio.  It's really well built and can output sine or square wave at 50 or 75 Ohms so it's pretty flexible.   

The Teac clock is 50 Ohm sine wave but the 701t can accept either.   I've been super busy so I haven't done as much listening as I hoped but so far I think I prefer the square wave, there is a difference.    

@oddiofyl 
Thank you for your reply!

I think I have read that using an external clock can really step up the sound of the Teac; not that the Teac is bad sounding on its own.  In fact, I have been given the impression that most transports will benefit from using an external clock. 
 

The only transport that I have read about, so far, that hasn’t shown an improvement by using an external clock, is the Jay’s CDT3Mk3. It appears that the internal clock is of reference quality already.  But, that transport costs $5000.  
 

Thank you for sharing your experiences with me!

Best wishes,

Don