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How much should I spend on cd transport

Ever since I stepped up to seperates, I have been using the digital out of my Marantz CC65 cd changer to my Lexicon DC1 pre/pro. I have decided to re-arrange my system towards 2 channel. In doing this, I have realized I need a new pre/pro (may just buy Adcom's GFP750 and keep the lexicon for HT), and I also need a better cd player. In my research, I have found a few cd players I'd like, and am also interested in an external DAC (Music Fidelity's new DAC) for upsampling. With all this in mind, do I need to buy a $1k cd player since I may simply use it as a transport, or will a mid-fi changer be adequate?

Thanks.

Please make any brand recommendations you may have.
mdomnick
seandtaylor99
1,262 posts
 
The marantz players have a lot of jitter on the digital output, but are otherwise fair transports. Therefore make sure that you either :
1) purchase a DAC which reclocks the digital input.
2) Budget for a jitter reducer such as monarchy DIP (about $150 used).

I have a CD63SE driving a monarchy 22a DAC. Without the DIP the DAC was not much better than the CD player itself. With the DIP the differences in clarity and imaging were much greater.
natalie
404 posts
 
Your player is fine.Listen to the MF DAC its not what is said to be.
ljgj
955 posts
 
Buy a Pioneer PD 65 transport/player and an Odeon Birdland DAC - total maybe 1k on the used market.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
I used to have a couple of Marantz players before. Now one of them is in my badroom(CD 67SE). Either way I've connected it either through external DAC or just by itself it didn't bring enough bass. Although for its "welter-weight category" they perform almost on the champion level -- let's even say on the "challenger-champion" level.
I would prefere a heavier weight category since it's able to bring more bass and certainly more clarity. You can even get the "former heavy-weight" machines that will still sing to your pleasure.If you deside not to upgrade at all you can get a portable CD-transport that is able to hold upto 30 CDs in Best Buy:)
pops
2,274 posts
 
Transports make a huge difference - I found out when my Meridian 200 was sent in for repair and I sustituted a Rotel 855. The meridian is much more refined, smoother - a digital cable is also extremely important. My transport also reacts to power cords more than dac's or any other component in the chain. Just my .02
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