CD Transports


Greetings. I am setting up a second system for the basement and am using a 1978 Sherwood receiver. At first I was going to just use the turntable with it and play the tuner occasionally but then thought I'd like to play some CDs. In my main system I have a Rega Apollo R hooked up to an Exogal Comet/Ion. Clearly I don't need the DAC in the Rega so I reasoned that it may be better to transfer the unit to the basement and get a transport, namely the Cambridge Audio CXC, for the upstairs primo set-up. Does that sound reasonable? The CD format is moribund so I don't see the point of getting a top dollar one--most of my CDs are ripped on the laptop and I just kept some rare European favorites. I was also tempted to buy a 1995 Marantz CC 45 5-CD player for the basement, but it is probably not such a great performer. Do I reason correctly that the CXC is my best option? I think the DAC in their Topaz player is not as good but that sounds like a decent player too. Thanks for advice. rt
128x128rtorchia
“Built like a tank“ transports have some rather serious flaws, at least most of them do. Scattered CD laser light gets into the photodetector as noise, external vibration distorts the signal, induced vibration (e.g., transport mechanism and transformer) and the fluttering of the disc forces the laser servo feedback system to produce errors that can’t be corrected.
Wow, so many in favor of the Audiolab 6000cdt - I'm gonna add my vote too. Still breaking mine in, but 3 months in, it is amazing and a great value at $549. Running it thru my Schiit Audio Yggdrasil dac, I'm hearing detail like never before. Have fun with yours. 
Audiolab CDT 6000 breaking in nice. Very neutral. A bit soft. Very laid back in my modest system.
Give the Audiolab some clean recording like Communique or Neil Young. It rewards!
Someone mentioned the Pioneer Elite DV-09 as a great unit
It retailed for $2.200
It weighs 35 pounds, Really built like a tank!!!

I have one, no scratches on it. Close to mint
I was selling it on e-bay, and got an offer for $179.
I felt that offer was a joke. I took it off e-bay.
 I would like to get $350 or more  for it.

Does that sound like to much?
I have the remote, manual, and original warranty for it.

I see other people on this site selling units, not as good as mine for $450

I would appreciate other peoples opinions..
I now am using a Oppo.