Dedicated CD Transport vs DAC

Don,

I bought from Alvin because he helped me along the way with all of my inquiry’s... and besides... I prefer going straight to the source. I’m sure Todd would be fine too.

I have used EAD and PS Audio transports in the past and my Luxman D10x as a transport just prior to purchasing the Jays.

Along the way I have owned Denon,Electrocompaniet,Wadia and the Luxman cd player as well. I think I have a good feel for transports and their contributions as a whole and the Jays is top notch in my book!

I really can’t assume what you may or may not like in your own system... so your choice can be yours only! But if I had to bet the farm on it... the Jays would be a much better transport than the Rotel without question.

I would also not advise you to spend any amount of money if you are not comfortable doing so.

Mark

Since you like vynil onother options is get new SACD player that you can afford. Marantz Ruby SACd player for the price it very good. Only problem they don’t have good tech support after warranty.

Hi Mark,

A big thank you again for your very detailed response!

Clearly, you have experienced a great many of digital’s finest gear. 
It’s great to hear you speak so highly the CDT3mk3 and it helps me feel that it would provide a solid foundation for whichever dac I would end up with now or in the future.  

I agree 100% in not spending more than what you’re comfortable with…hence the reason I’m not looking at $10k transports.  Very sage advice!

Thanks again, very much appreciated!

Best wishes,

Don

What I would think is if you already have a high quality external Dac, why pay for another Dac that is probably has some restrictions or at least design/ cost considerations built in with a new CD player.

Transports are very basic to me. Once you get a decent one in the $3000 range you should be all set. The rest of your sound is all in the DAC.

I sense the future for Digital, as the new holy grail to be discovered, is the consistent accuracy of the Master Clock being used.

This is an area where a commercial entity has already made an impact with add on devices to be used in the Signal Path of a Digital Source. As a surmise, the ass on device in the digital signal path, is possibly becoming a similar supporting device as a Phonostage is to a Cartridge.

A Master Clock is pretty much a design to produce a Crystal Oscillation for a Chip at 10MHz, where there is a need for an optimised environment to operate the Chip to  be able to consistently function at the 10MHz Frequency.

This lends itself to both commercial designs such as OXCO (Most Common used in the Models being discussed) or DOXCO ( Not too sure if this is used in a Branded Audio Device at present) Not many Brands are making a point of showing which method is used to control the Environment the Chip is working in.

The next area for creating the ideal environment is DIY, there are some interesting methods being adopted, to produce an improved OXCO or even a DOXCO equivalent. As well as treat unwanted energy transferral from the Ambient Environment within the listening room, that can be detrimental to the Crystal Oscillation. 

I can easily see myself becoming a proponent of methods being used and happily adopt the ideas being used by the DIY designs.