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Looking To Upgrade to a new CD Transport

I currently own a Cary 306/200 cd player which I have had for 15 years.  For the last 5 years have been using the Cary as a transport only with a stand alone DAC, which were the Chord Qutest and then the Weiss 204.  The retail cost of the Cary CD player was about $5000.00. It is a well built machine.  My question is have the transports been improved over the last 15 years.  I stream often, but I still listen to cd's.  Would purchasing a new transport improve my sound. My maximum budget is $5000.00 new only.  Is a move that I am contemplating, a move sideways or would a new transport make a discernable difference in sound improvement.  Thank you. 

kjl1065
cleeds
6,533 posts
 

If the Cary is still performing well, I'd be inclined to keep it.

ghdprentice's avatar
ghdprentice
9,397 posts
 

You can probably best your transport for $5K. But I'd put it into a streamer upgrade. Overall you will likely get a big boost. Pull ahead on streaming makes sense as it affects millions of music choices, not just what you own. 

stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,710 posts
 

Check out CEC, they make transports.  Or, at least they used to.

jsalerno277
489 posts
 

IMHO, a streamer/server within your budget will provide better SQ and the convenience of having unlimited choice of files in all genera at your finger click.  Services such as Qobuz and Tidal will review new releases weekly so you keep current.  There is also the convenience of not having to load and unload physical media.  If you buy a unit with a server, then in the remote chance a file is not available, you can burn your cd to the server, a process not difficult but a little time consuming.  I chose Aurender and always recommend them for their customer service, build quality, and most important, SQ.  A preowned N200 will be under budget.  New slightly over.  

jfrost27
97 posts
 

I recently purchased a McIntosh MCT500 transport. It replaced my 17 year old MVP871 AV player. I went through Audio Classics as they offered a really good trade value for my old player against the price of the new player. I’m a McIntosh guy all the way so the new one was always going to be a McIntosh. I love the new player.  You should check it out. But my main point here is to check out the trade value of your old unit. It might surprise you. 

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