Daveyf
Yes,seems like what Paul Lam stated someplace holds true.Older CDP's seem to have better Transports then most of the Plastic CDP's sold today unless you want to get into ultra expensive stuff.
The Phillips has their CDM-1 Transport and is made from Steel.Was highly regarded,but I think that some manufactures had used the same transport ,but modified the Laser Pickup.That would be to involved for me.Maybe someone like Stan Warren could take a look to see what he could do.
I think Wadia or another Co. used it and were asking $2500+ for the unit with a better Laser setup.
Might last till the next Century.