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Looking to Buy My First CD Transport

I'm thinking of buying a CD transport and am looking for recommendations around the $1000 USED mark.

I've read great things about the Theta Data Basic I and II, and I really like the fact one of those can be purchased for $400 - $700 used. I was also wondering what people thought of the Sonic Frontiers SFT-1. What about the Anthem CD-1 6-disc changer as a transport? Any other recommendations would be appreciated.

My current system is comprised of Musical Fidelity E60 CD player [the unit I'm looking to replace], Bel Canto DAC 1.1, Sim Audio Moon I-5 integrated, Sonus Faber Concertinos and ProAc Tablette 50 Signatures, and NHT SW3P subwoofer.

The setup is in a 12 by 16 foot room, and my tastes lean more towards musical enjoyment, than analytical reproduction.

Thanks!
gunbei
tom_nice
387 posts
 
Sonic Frontiers SFT-1 is very good, but will probably cost more used than Audio Alchemy DDS Pro. (If I have initials wrong, it's their top of the line.) The AA was underrated from the start, IMHO, and it didn't help for the company to go out of business. But that may help YOU, pricewise. It features the Pioneer "Stable Platter", arguably a better design than almost all Philips models, as used in many name brand transports. The DDS Pro has a separate power supply, and is massive, helping with vibrations. I own and have used both products I've mentioned here, and like both a lot.
gunbei OP
2,327 posts
 
Thanks for the great advice. I'll definitely look into the Sony, Wadia, EAD AA, and the Bel Canto with a DVD player.
dekay's avatar
dekay
5,630 posts
 
Gunbei: I hate to bring this up, but a used Sony 9000ES SACD player is in your price range. Can anyone rate its performance as a transport? I know that Albert Porter has one, but do not know if he has tried it with an external DAC. I can only consider the unit if it will play "digital audio recordable" CDR's and will be testing this in a couple of weeks with the help of Albert. I think that the breaking point of whether SACD software will become readily available is soom approaching.
gunbei OP
2,327 posts
 
Dekay. As usual you have read my mind. Yes, the 9000ES is something I have considered too. Supposedly, a pretty good transport with SACD to boot. I'm wondering if the EVS or Stan Warren mods in combination with the Bel Canto would be redundant or cumulatively positive. I'm sure they'll benefit the SACD playback. Thanks Bro.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,242 posts
 
If I had your system and had $1k, I would not buy a transport. It's a bang for the buck thing. My radical suggestion is to sell off all your speakers + sub and purchase a Proac Response 2, or possibly a Spendor S100. The not so radical suggestion is to spend the $1k on tweaks -- do you have an excellent equipment rack? are your cables optimized? room treatment? isolation products? Either of these suggestions will yield a greater sonic improvement than upgrading a transport. However, if you do go the transport route, my recommendation is the Sony 333ES, a multi-disc SACD player. It's available for $600-800, new. Hope this helps!
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