2. digital
  3. 1378710855

Phillips no longer producing transports

Hi folks, as many of you are no doubt aware Phillips have decided to stop producing the Pro 2 LH transport used by ARC, Ayon, Vitus and others. What does this all mean? I'm informed by one manufacturer who I wont name that their stock of transports is good for another year or so of production whilst maintaining stock for warranty service. I'm told they are now moving toward designing a server to replace cd players in future. Esoteric are still manufacturing transports, and Accuphase have moved to a proprietory transport mechanism, so cd players will still be produce into the future. But for a powerhouse like Phillips to give up on cd transports is a harbinger, a sign of things to come and the likely phasing out of cd production. It is likely in future cd production will only continue in small runs of for audiophile labels and boutique producers, and high res downloads will continue to develop and become more mainstream. I think Bob Dylan said "The times they are a changin'".
melbguy1
melbguy1 OP
1,438 posts
 
09-11-13: Knghifi
I say good ridden to Philip Transports. All my cd players with Philip drives had problems. Many were very expensive Krells. Sounds fantastic when working but never for long. Now 100% computer audio with music backup on USB drives.
Fair enough Knghifi. It is understandable if you've had a bad run with Phillips drives the Company's announcement would probably be welcomed. I haven't owned a Pro2 transport long enough to have an opinion one way or the other. I plan to maintain a high end cd player, but add a streamer and stream internet radio & my My Tunes library wirelessly over a high speed, wide bandwidth wifi network. However that is really just for background listening. For critical listening, rbcd & sacd's will still remain my reference.
knghifi
1,668 posts
 
Melbguy1, I respect your decision. We all have our preferences unless constantly shoving it and needing confirmation of their decisions from others.

If you plan to like you cd player, I suggests buy spare transports for backup. Good luck!
knghifi
1,668 posts
 
@ Knghifi, For what its worth, there are many, many people who enjoy talking about Taralabs cables!, just like any thing else, its just a hobby!, do not knock me for Taralabs!, I do not knock you about eanything!, I cannot help that there is a following of Taralabs that is huge!, we will keep on and on!, we enjoy our conversations!
That's NOT my point. I could careless what you use.

BTW, I don't care if you knock my decisions. Only think imporant is I don't knock my decisions.
bifwynne
2,206 posts
 
Spoke to Kal, ARC Customer Service Tech Rep, today. He reported that ARC is aware of the issue but seemed unconcerned, even with the advent of the new Ref CD-9 which uses the Pro 2. Kal said that ARC has more than enough Pro 2 transports in stock to support new production and replacement of older CDP units. That's the news folks. Go figure????

I suppose the good news is that the Pro 2 is touted as being pretty sturdy and trouble free. Perhaps the need for replacement units is not acute. I own the Ref CD-8 and previously the Ref CD-7. So far, no problems to report. Nevertheless, the business side of me tells me that ARC will have to source another supplier or end the use of the Pro 2 with Ref CD-9. Just a guess.
elberoth2's avatar
elberoth2
1,223 posts
 
All my cd players with Philip drives had problems. Many were very expensive Krells.

You are talking about Philips SACD drives. That is a very different design, which indeed was problematic. On the other hand, the CD-Pro2 discussed in this thread, is very reliable.
More to discover