Yes-- I'm aware of the Cambridge and it may sound strange for someone with a 25K system to worry about a product being too inexpensive, but I do worry about that.
Any opinions on using readily available/easily demo'd CDP's as transports, such as Rega or Marantz,for example ?
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Thanks, twoleftears-- I've read a review of the NuPrime but wasn't aware of the Primare. Will check it out. |
Mooglie67-- many thanks for your helpful/informative response !
Your list of considerations/priorities is very much in synch with mine.
Can you give me any idea how the Atoll has affected your system, sound-wise ?
I'm very pleased with my Aqua DAC and agree that a dedicated transport would be a wiser use of my money.
RE: Primare, I don't see a listing on their site for a transport-- only the CD35 Prisma, which includes a DAC.
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mooglie: also, the Jolida was modded, so it definitely sounds better than the stock version. |
Mooglie: thanks for providing your sonic impressions of the Atoll. They are apparently available from a store in San Francisco by special order but even if they were in stock, I happen to know that particular store will not allow an in-home demo. I already asked them about it re: the Sim Neo 260D and they turned me down.
I was able to demo a friend's Heed Obelisk transport and was quite underwhelmed.
itzhak1968: not sure how I'd be able to demo the CEC.
garrard: Glad to hear you're pleased, having taken that gamble. What is your system?
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mooglie:
I believe I borrowed my friend's digital cable-- it was a Zu, but I don't recall which one. I'm using Blue Jeans bnc at present. I should also mention I'm using an Empirical Audio reclocker, which (hopefully) is eliminating whatever jitter the Jolida produces. |
mooglie: perhaps I should clarify that I have no real complaints re: sound. My main aim is to increase longevity of my capacity for spinning cds without degrading the system's present sound. I have no desire to burn discs or stream at this point and besides, I actually enjoy handling physical media.
The Jolida is probably 10 years old and the design is perhaps 15 years old-- I'm not certain. In considering a current model transport, I'm looking for something that will last as well as be serviceable (I'd want, like you, to buy an extra drive). I thought an up-to-date, dedicated transport might also offer enhanced sound as an added benefit.
However, the modded Jolida + Aqua sounds pretty darned good, so maybe, as uberwaltz has suggested, I might not be able to better it, significantly, for my budget.
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soix: I found a short stereophile description of the two devices:
"
There is now an Off-Ramp 5 asynchronous USB converter ($1299), which now has HDMI in addition to S/PDIF and i2S output" and:
"
the Synchro-Mesh reclocker ($599), which dejitters the datastream for a source such as an Apple TV, Squeezebox, or CD transport".
Steve was the one who actually recommended the Synchro-Mesh to me on another of my A'gon threads, so that's what I went with.
Is your description of the Bel Canto as a unit that "seems like it'll last forever" based on the drive, the casework, or ???? |
uberwaltz: True Sound carries and services the CEC units, so if I was to buy one, at least I'd have someone relatively close by, in case anything went wrong. That changes the equation in CEC's favor, somewhat. .
garrard: thanks for gear list.
soix2: I have the Synchromesh reclocker. Isn't the Offramp his DAC. . . or am I mistaken ? Do you have personal experience with the Bel canto and if so, what was its sonic impact on your system ? Thanks for the cable recommendation. |
mooglie:
Did you approach Nick Gowan ?
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soix:
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. |
georgehifi; I was actually intimating that, as my system is relatively inexpensive, my concern about using an inexpensive transport might strike some as odd. The only two audiophile friends I have own much, much, more costly systems, so that's all I have to compare mine to.
Thanks for your input re: merits of Sim vs. Cambridge. I'm pretty clue-less when it comes to knowledge of CD drives. Here, the Sim costs
$2000 US but, as mentioned, I haven't found an option for a home demo.
I am aware that such an option exists for the Cambridge and from more than one online vendor but I do appreciate your input!
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adg10: I've thought about going with one of the similar units by Innuos of Portugal, but I don't own a smart-phone or tablet and frankly, the prospect of having to use one to operate my audio system is not appealing. I'm idiosyncratically more inclined to put off the computerized route for as long as I can but thanks for the suggestion.
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OK. Thanks, everyone, for your input.
I'm afraid I'm still not inclined to buy anything I can't first demo at home.
I've been burned more often than not in the past not following this policy.
Maybe the best course for me is to simply wait till I can afford to try the Bryston CDP-3 as a transport.
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soix2: how did I miss the top-loading aspect ? ! Can I blame that on age ? Thanks for pointing that out and for the suggestion that BC may have parts.
bigkidz: very pertinent input, especially considering that we both have R2R Ladder DACs. Thanks. |
Wrap-up: Given the current trend away from physical media and the lack of consensus as to how long manufacturers of transports/CDPs might continue to stock parts, I'm unwilling to gamble on spending 3-4K to upgrade in that direction. At the same time, I'm in no hurry to jump into computer audio. If I had unlimited funds to lavish on audio or harbored a fondness for frequently buying/selling gear, it might be a different story. As neither is the case, I can't see a way to go that's more practical than hanging on to what I've got until the Jolida gives up the ghost, and then, moving to a server... barring the unlikely event of a transport/CDP "renaissance", due to some sort of technical break-through we can't yet foresee. In the meantime, I offer my thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread. |
georgehifi5:
Thanks for the info. I suppose I could order the Cambridge from Audio Advisor and compare it to the Jolida.
itzhak:
To clarify, longevity is my #1 concern. I'd be willing to spend 3-4K, to extend my capacity for spinning discs into the future, but not knowing whether manufacturers will actually have the parts to repair any potential problems down the road is a very thorny issue for me. Fiscally, I'm fairly risk-averse and the fact that the industry-wide trend seems to be away from physical media at this point is not reassuring. If being unwilling to gamble 3-4K equates to being on a tight budget, then yes, I am.
When I initiated this thread and simultaneously began researching transports online, I had no idea I'd encounter so much uncertainty regarding longevity. This has definitely altered my perspective.
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garrard; you are undoubtedly correct. . . in fact; since I posted my last comments I haven't been able to stop thinking about getting a new transport!
If there was an online Sim retailer that offered returns to customers residing in CA, I'd order the Neo 260T today. But I haven't had any success in locating one.
I may eventually end up ordering the Sim and crossing my fingers. . .
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soix: I talked to Bel Canto today-- really nice people. The tech with whom I spoke uses a CD-2 himself and gave me url of company that still sells new drives ($700 w/laser) and said B.C. had plenty of other parts. Just not sure about buying a unit I've never heard. |
Wow-- this is an old thread -- I never imagined it would still be drawing suggestions. I guess I should've provided an update a long time ago! here goes...
I eventually located a shop in Denver that was willing to ship me a Moon 260DT with a return policy and no restocking fee and I ended up keeping it. I had a problem early on with it not reading every CD and had to send it back to Quebec but SimAudio repaired it promptly and I haven't had any other issues. It strikes me as very neutral sounding and seems a very good match with my Aqua La Voce DAC.
If I had to buy a transport today, I might try the new Project or wait for the Schiit but really, I have absolutely no reason to complain about the Moon.
Well, OK-- one complaint-- the CD drawer is very shallow which makes it harder than I'd prefer for me to remove discs withy my aging, stubby fingers... but that's not a big deal.
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mesch:
I'd heard mixed reviews of the CXC so I went with the Moon. . . and as I described, had an issue soon after purchase! You just never know... |
earlflynn:
I assume you're using the 650D as a CDP...
I use the 260 as transport only as I already had a very nice DAC. |
