2. digital
  3. 132107-104736

looking for the best cd transport only, without dac

I have a Hegel H160 with inbuilt DAC and I'm looking for cd transport recommendation for $1000 or so. I have Harbeth SHL5 + and like an open and transparent sound. I've considered PS Audio PWT and other used options. I'm currently using my $75 Sony bluray player for transport and surprised how good it sounds. I've auditioned transports like Marantz and Cambridge. Options like Primare and Audionote I have't been able to listen to, the latter ones used to get closer to price point. There is also the Oppo 203, but wonder about quality of sound sacrifices in jack of all trades box? When I have compared the few transports I've tried the sound quality differences were quite subtle. So have people here done some serious comparisons of sound quality of just transports and have any great recommendations? Thanks
ckharbeth

Showing 1 response by bigkidz

bigkidz
3,313 posts
 

Heard, repaired, upgraded more than 50 transports.  The Project was the best of the bunch, simply no contest.  The Jays is very good but a different sound.  Rega Saturn a cheaper alternative and especially once modified.  We have compared the streamers from Auralic and Aurender and while they also sound good, the Project transport was simply better.  I also know the modified Flatfish.  Brian Charney had one.  Excellent but you will need to invest a lot of money to get it there as stated above.  The cheaper recommendations above our good players but just do not produce the sound quality of the better transports.

Happy Listening.

More to discover