Reimyo CDP-777 vs Ayon CD-5

Thanks for the info Mike, though it will inevitably be a similar situation to Infinity. Infinity (Harmon Group) kept a batch of old parts for Classic Infinity models, and within a few years they sold out, now they're no longer available anywhere but Ebay or AG second hand. Also, the transport itself is definitely no longer available. Victor no longer supply that transport which has now been superceded by Reimyo.

JVC Pro used in Reimyo is on of the most reliable transports ever made. Not the cheap plastic stuff that Philips and Sony sells nowadays (even the Philips CD-Pro2 drive is all plastic & cheap motor under the shiny aluminum skin).

I have once talked to Patrick from Krell (Krell used this transport in their uber-expensive KPS-25sc), and he told me that they yet have to see one of those transports die ... so far they replaced only those that had been physically damaged.

With Reimyo haveing a healthy stockpile of those transport mechanisms, I wouldn't worry too much. In any case, in 10 years time, we will all use HDD based systems anyway.

Thanks for the info Whitewind, for me the inclusion of an excellent tube pre-amp in the Ayon CD-5 moved me in that direction, otherwise I would have been interested in the old CDP-777. I agree, it's transport is one of the best ever made, though I don't agree the Pro-2 LH version transport (as used by Ayon) is cheap rubbish. It's good enough for Audio Research's reference player & many others, and still a fine transport. To my knowledge, no one has done a comparison of the CDP-777 & CD-5, but that would be interesting!

I agree, it's transport is one of the best ever made, though I don't agree the Pro-2 LH version transport (as used by Ayon) is cheap rubbish.

Well, it is not exactly cheap rubbish, but if you ever have a chance to examine it more closely, you will notice that it is not build to the same standards as JVC drive is (actually far from it !), or one of the older Philips drives.

FYI - the CD-Pro2 uses same laser pickup, gear assembly and Mabuchi motor as the $10, all plastic, Philips VAM-1201.

Whitewind, ok the JVC is the best transport mechanism.