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Best transport for redbook and HDCD?

I would like to get a better transport for my ECD-1 dac.
I use an original Rega Planet currently and do prefer top-loaders although it's not a neccessity. I have pondered the lowest priced belt-drives by CEC/Parasound but am not sure if the belt-drive will make an audible difference. I do not know of any other brands that have a belt-drive.
Some have suggested the EAD and CAL universal transports that play CD's and laserdisc's. Others perferred dedicated redbook transports like the McCormack SST-1.
I have even pondered DVD units such a the Sony DVP-7700 and the Toshiba SD-9200 with DVD-A and wonder how well they stack up against lower priced stand alones.
For any help, Thanks
imin2u
celtic66
1,616 posts
 
I run the Parasound BD 2000 top loader. Don't believe the belt drive affects sound, however this unit is unbelievably good. Must confess to a full Mod Wright modification though. I loaned the transport to someone with excellent ears; custom built tube preamp, custom DAC, VTL monoblocks and ML CLS panels. He said it cooked his Planet which he does dearly loves.

He said he listened very cynically, believing none of the transport vs player hype, but was completely convinced afterward.
reubent
6,940 posts
 
I don't have a suggestion for you, but I do have a non-suggestion!

I have yet to heard a DVD player that made a good transport. I've tried the Sony DVP-S7700 and DVP-S9000ES as well as a couple of cheaper units. I don't know why, but they all produced a "thin" sound vs a Cary CD-308 and Theta Miles that I also used for transport.

Just my $.02 worth, but I would not use a DVD player in a high-end system as transport unless I needed to save money or shelf space by combining audio and video functions.

Enjoy,

TIC
mt10425
1,138 posts
 
Reubent, I traded in my Sony S7700 for an Arcam DV-89 after an A/B comparison with Arcam lower level CDP's. The DV-89 has virtually identical audio sections along with terrific video sections. There are other brands as well who pay close attention to the audio playback sections on their DVD players.
tombowlus
416 posts
 
Arcam FMJ CD23T, perhaps?
bombaywalla's avatar
bombaywalla
1,958 posts
 
Just watch!
"Audioengr" is going to burst into this thread & claim that the Sony DVP-S7700 *with* mods is *the* best. He's going to make this 1-liner & simply exit!
I'm surprised that he hasn't made his presence felt as yet!
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