Beefy stand-alone transports, or players with beefy transports

[thedelihaus]

Considering replacing my collection of Denon DCD 1500-II players with a single transport.

It seems a waste that I'm bypassing the internal DACs, which sound so nice, but I like my external DACs.

Thinking a beefy transport, or a player that has a robust transport and available lasers, may be the route to go.

Love the Pioneer Elite design- and have been told at least one other maker used it as well.

Same for the Rega.

I see Theta transports pop up, but Theta isn't servicing the older models. And unsure of the laser availability anyhoo.


Any tips/suggestions on what to look for? Who's producing a nice, reliable, stable transport, with parts available?

[cableguy]

great Q Paul...I ended up using an Audio Alchemy DDS III which for what I do musically works as both a nice transport as well as stand alone. I am of course still enjoying that Entech DAC I got from you a while back...:thmbsp:





Bill

[slow_jazz]

It would seem to me that most of the sound would come from the DAC and just about any cd with digital outs would work. Any older cd player or transport is on borrowed time with lasers dying out and parts unavailable. Just my 2 cents....

Does anyone even make a separate transport anymore??

[RichPA]

The Audio Alchemy DDS-Pro and the Theta Pearl/Miles (Pearl is transport-only, Miles is a CDP) use the Pioneer Stable Platter mechanism and make very nice transports. When I last checked a year or so ago, the laser was still available. Some of the older Sonys make very nice transports, but laser availability is an issue.

In my experience, transports do make a difference - not huge, but important to me. There are still companies making separate transports, but they tend to be pricey.

[Satch]

I own a Audio Alchemy DDS-Pro + external PSU. I bought it from a store who replaced the laser unit for a new one (and also gave me the old laser, which was still working properly). Just to be sure, I also bought a Pioneer Stable Platter cd-player for 40$, just for spare parts.
As for differences - next to nothing IMHO. Before the Audio Alchemy I owned a PS Audio Lambda 2 SE, a hefty piece of engineering based around a Philips CDM-9 Pro transport. I don't hear any difference between the two, both being used from the AES/EBU output.

[thedelihaus]

great Q Paul...I ended up using an Audio Alchemy DDS III which for what I do musically works as both a nice transport as well as stand alone. I am of course still enjoying that Entech DAC I got from you a while back...:thmbsp:

Bill

Glad you're enjoying the Entech!

It would seem to me that most of the sound would come from the DAC and just about any cd with digital outs would work. Any older cd player or transport is on borrowed time with lasers dying out and parts unavailable. Just my 2 cents....

Agreed. The quest for a Transport is more for reliability and stability issues. I have a Sony 5-disc changer I enjoy, but is susceptible to vibration.

The Denons I have are all healthy and of good quality, but as you said, lasers are getting old in these, and at some point, will need replacement- which is not possible as they are just about unobtainable, if not completely unobtainable, at this point.

A nice transport that is stable and has available lasers would be a nice match for any of the four DACs I have, versus purchasing a stand-alone like the Rega, Cambridge Audio and Rotel beauties available nowadays.

The Audio Alchemy DDS-Pro and the Theta Pearl/Miles (Pearl is transport-only, Miles is a CDP) use the Pioneer Stable Platter mechanism and make very nice transports. When I last checked a year or so ago, the laser was still available. Some of the older Sonys make very nice transports, but laser availability is an issue.

In my experience, transports do make a difference - not huge, but important to me. There are still companies making separate transports, but they tend to be pricey.

Thank you, Rich. Always insightful and helpful.

How many Pioneer models used the stable platter?

I own a Audio Alchemy DDS-Pro + external PSU. I bought it from a store who replaced the laser unit for a new one (and also gave me the old laser, which was still working properly). Just to be sure, I also bought a Pioneer Stable Platter cd-player for 40$, just for spare parts.
As for differences - next to nothing IMHO. Before the Audio Alchemy I owned a PS Audio Lambda 2 SE, a hefty piece of engineering based around a Philips CDM-9 Pro transport. I don't hear any difference between the two, both being used from the AES/EBU output.

Thanks for the info.

I expect the transport to have a minimal effect on sound- if anything, I'm looking for durability, and hoping that there will be reduced jitter, error and effect from outside vibration.

My goal is to grab a transport that will allow long-term reliability, stability, durability, access to a replacement laser, and flexibility to exchange DACs and cables.:thmbsp:

[beemer]

Hello Paul:

Expect the transport to have a profound influence on the sound. As much as a different turntable may. Also consider the cable. Toslink being the worst possible scenario.

Best,

Paul :thmbsp:

[mrskinny]

If you're handy with a soldering iron, you might want to try this-http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=120229

[ivanfx]

isn't it time to look at music servers? Sonos/SB3/Airport + Pace-Car = very nice transport

[dj_AmTraX]

You CAN NOT beat these babies. Check them out! Weights more than some amps.

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=154689&highlight=inside+scd-1+scd77es

[vincei]

My Sony CDP-X77ES had a fantastic transport, but due to lack of a laser replacement I would advise not getting one of these players unless it comes with a new laser. Too bad, the 7 series machines are beasts.

[thedelihaus]

My Sony CDP-X77ES had a fantastic transport, but due to lack of a laser replacement I would advise not getting one of these players unless it comes with a new laser. Too bad, the 7 series machines are beasts.

These are great players- a friend scored two or three of them- one being a new, old stock unit, never used. Talk about good fortune!

[vincei]

These are great players- a friend scored two or three of them- one being a new, old stock unit, never used. Talk about good fortune!

:drool: NOS is music to my ears....:music: