transport recommendations

It's kinda tough to justify spending money on a dedicated transport when your DVD player costs $2K. However, I do want to get the most out of my new DAC (Tri-Vista 21) so I've been looking around. What I've found is new transports are cost prohibitive, and used ones, from names that are known to make quality components, are usually in the 3-5 year old range, and I worry about transport wear and tear at that age.

Most of the 7 pound dvd players out there are crap and should not be used for quality audio performance. Even some of the $1,000.00+ dvd players can be beaten by a good old CD player with a good Philips transport in it.
Plus, the old CD players initialize (read) the CDs a lot faster, 'cause they're only looking for two channel CD content. DVD and multi-players take FOR-Frickin'-EVER to read a CD because they're looking to make sure you haven't plugged in a DVD, DVD-A, DVD-Video, DVD-ROM, SACD two channel, SACD multi-channel, etc. etc.!!!!!! >:-(

thanks for your input. The only modifier I know of for transports is Dan Wright(modwright), He suggested a Pioneer unit that would play cd-r's of which I have many. It only has one coax digital out so I couldn't use it as a dvd and cd tranport (because the optical inputs on my preamp don't work)Do you think it's still worth the investment in a unit like this even though I would be only using it as a cd transport? (The entire cost would still be on the low end of most used cd only transports) It's just that I don't like the idea of paying for all the dvd audio and video processing that I would never use.

thanks

gjk

DVD players outperform most CD transports. A modded DVD transport makes one of the best sources available, like a Sony DVP-S9000es or a DVP-S7700.

I have a CEC TL-1X and like it a lot, but have had spotty success using CD-Rs ... works most of the time, not all of the time. As a transport it is outstanding!

You will find a lot of opionions on this subject. Many people have had different experiences and levels of satisfaction. For myself, with Redbook material, having tried modest DVD players and CD players as transports, when I bought a dedicated CD transport, a CEC TL2, I feel that I began learning what all the fuss about transports was about. It has worked well for me.

There are lot's of good transports out there. You might consider a SACD/DVD/CD player like the Phillips, Sonys or Pioneers.

I'm using a Theta Pearl [$500-600 used] with my Kora Hermes and have never been unable to read anything placed in it. I just have to remember to place them label side down though.