Theta Delta Basic II Transport Opinions.

I've used the Basic II transport for 10 years and still use it in my big rig. Upgraded through Theta from Basic to Basic II. I've used it with a MF A324 with great results and compared it with two DVD players (used as a transport) and the Theta always one, hands down. I'm on my 4th DAC. It's a keeper for me. I sometimes consider buying a backup. For the current used price I think it's steal. My greatest hifi gear sound improvement, strangely enough, was when I bought my original Basic Trasport. I was between speakers and bought a pair of PSB 200's to tied me over. I was using a Theta Cobalt DAC and NAD 5000 cdp as transport. This was a decade ago. I couldn't resist the Basic when it came out and my dealer let me take it home for audition. I didn't expect to hear much differece because of my cheap speakers. I was way wrong- the largest and best sound improvement I have ever heard was replacing the NAD as my transport. Still rings music in my memory. I've tried one other Theta transport since then when my Basic was being upgraded, but it wasn't as good. I've found that the Theta Basic II sounds best with a silver/teflon cable. Balanced output is best but either works great with a silver/teflon interconnect. I've tried many digital cables and Kimber AGDL or Illiminati have always won with the Basic II. Good Luck.

Zaikesman: Nothing wrong with the Pearl, I almost bought one at one point. It wasn't laserdisc, it was dvd transport. The repair issue is always a strong consideration for new gear.