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Premier Redbook CD Transport or SACD Player?

I have gone through a few excellent DACs: Counterpoint DA10, Electrocompaniet ECD1 and now the awesome Manley Ref Tube DAC. I have used a Pioneer PD65 as a transport as well as the Muse Model 8 transport that I use in my HT setup. Both of these sound equally phenomenol with the above DACs. Rest of system is BAT VK31SE to a Counterpoint NPS400 amp and Thiel 3.6s which will soon be replaced as I return to Magnepan series 3 speakers. All cabling is NBS Statement except tonearm cable which is SilverAudio.

Perhaps I have gotten to the point where CDs will not get much better but I continue to chase the sound of my analog system: Clearaudio Ref TT/TQI Linear Arm/Koetsu Rosewood Sig or Clearaudio Accurate into a BAT VKP10. But would one of the CEC TL1 or TL2 transports take me a step closer or am I just better off to spend the money on an SACD player that perhaps would make a great transport and also bring me into the SACD world? I do not want any more products in the system than I need so if I can get by with a SACD player that also acts well as a CD transport this would be great....or am I truly better off with a transport optimized for CD playback?
jafox

Showing 1 response by stehno

stehno
1,453 posts
 
As a happy owner of an Sony SCD-1 cdp, I believe one would be hard-pressed to find a better cdp for redbook or sacd formats anywhere near this price range.

I would not hesitate to buy the SCD-1 again. But not necessarily because of it's SACD playback.

I am of the camp that ultimately, it is the quality of the recording that counts, regardless of format.

With that said, I would recommend shopping for the best redbook cdp for a given budget. And if the one found happened to play SACD, I'd consider that a freebie or benefit. But I would not consider it mandatory on my checklist.

-IMO
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