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Suggest Transports that can be Demo'd at home

I'm quite happy with my system (Silverline 17.5 monitors/Wells Majestic integrated/Aqua La Voce II/Jolida JD100 (as transport) but am wondering whether I ought to purchase another transport before they're no longer available.
$3000 would be my limit, budget-wise and longevity is a big concern. Used is OK, as long as unit is M. 

I have two caveats which make this tough-- 1) as a rule, I don't purchase any gear I can't first demo at home and 2)
I'd ideally prefer something made in N. America. Of these two qualifiers, the second is negotiable, but not the first.

I could demo a Bryston BCD-3 from Audio Advisor, but I'm not sure it makes sense to pay for a unit that includes a DAC I won't use. Also, I came across a comment in the Forums that the Bryston has fatiguing highs-- a flaw I particularly abhor. And, it's considerable over my budget. 

The Moon Neo 260D is not, as far as I can tell. possible to audition at home and I read on one of the AGon transport discussion threads that the drawer is flimsy. 

The Jay's Audio products look to be very good but I didn't see anything on their site about a trial period. 

A used PS Audio is a possibility, I guess, although I read that they used Oppo transports, which are no longer being made, so that's a concern from the longevity stand-point. 

 Any other units I should be aware of ??????????????

Thanks. 


stuartk

Showing 3 responses by soix

soix
8,724 posts
 
If you're using an Empiracle Audio Offramp I'm not sure you'll hear all that much difference between transports, no?  I'd just buy this Bel Canto CD2 and be done with it.  Built like a tank...

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649501384-bel-canto-cd2/

I'd also highly recommend trying this digital cable.  It's only 40 bucks and it beat out my Stereovox (aka Black Cat) XV2 digital cable in terms of tonality and overall more organic and balanced sound.  It was also John Atkinson's reference digital cable for a while.  FWIW...

https://www.amazon.com/Geistnotes-Apogee-Clock-Cable-WE-BB/dp/B01N6XL1XW/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3ODRJOPRA5T...
soix
8,724 posts
 
@stuartk -- I'm not familiar with the syncromesh vs. the Offramp, but my impression is the Offramp could make the transport a non issue.  Personally, I'd get an Offramp and not have to pay or worry so much about the transport going forward.  And yes, I fed a BC DAC3 VB with my Oppo and the CD2, and there was a notable improvement with the CD2 as a transport.  However, and this is a BIG however, I would've loved to have heard the DAC3 VB with my Oppo with an Offramp and see how that compared.  My guess is there would've been very little difference.  The main reason I recommended the CD2 is that I've had personal experience with it and it really seems built to last for the long term and destroyed my Oppo as a transport.  But I'd talk with Emprical Audio about your reclocker versus the Offramp and start there.  Personally, I'd get the CD2 mainly because it seems like it'll last forever as a transport, then take Emprical Audio's advice on which reclocker will help your system sound its best. 
soix
8,724 posts
 
According to Bel Canto website, that cdp you suggested is no longer being made, as the drives are no longer available.  I'd be nervous purchasing a unit for which no drives were available, in case of failure.

Couple thoughts.  Bel Canto may have a supply of replacement parts.  You can probably check with them on this.  Also, you're buying this at less than 50% of retail, so if you get several years of use out of it, you're not out all that much.  Last, the thing really feels like it's overbuilt, and there is no flimsy drawer to fail.  It's a top-mounted unit.  Jitter is stated to be 250 femtoseconds -- most transports are stated in picoseconds.  Just saying, might be well worth the risk, especially if BC has replacement parts -- assuming you'd even ever need them. 

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