Looking To Upgrade to a new CD Transport

Surprised Voodoofunk is the only disc spinner chiming in on behalf of the xst20.  I , too, am looking for a new transport. True DSD64 from SACD;s via I2S that WILL mate with my current dac, Laiv Harmony, is a big point for myself.  The xst20 also has what kjl1065 asked for...AES/EBU output.  Its, also, half kjl1065's stated budget.  But I'm still wary about the xst20 as there really aren't any good, solid, reviews, though its been on the market for well over a year.  Ive been looking for extensive sonic comparisons against other transports and even each of its digital output interfaces.

Tired of getting less than stellar results for jumping on the bandwagons of so called "giant killers" as paid reviewers gush about their attributes.  Polish POS comes to mind that has now been boxed and forgotten when it finally died after a couple years of frustration.  Currently using a Modwright modified Oppo bdp 105 where I don't believe the mods are in play since I'm bypassing the output and going coax to the Harmony dac. (possibly another rush to purchase)  Sounds wonderful but can't help but wonder if I2S might bring better sonics. Certainly should for SACD.   playback.  Will keep searching for more comments about the xst20

thanks

purchasing any of the recommended transports above will only give you a different flavor.  Funny thing is that we repair and upgrade components as well as manufacturer our own components.  I upgraded the Cary you own for a customer (100 power supply caps, etc.) and we were amazed how awesome the player became.  It came close to sounding like the DHT DAC we made.  I was so impressed, I bought one and modified one for my personal use.

The upgrade was not for the transport but I would imagine that we could upgrade that to make that unit sound better also.

Keep what you have until you can directly compare something ese.

Happy Listening.  

kjl1065 I firmly agree with all of the recommendations for the Jay's Audio transports. They sound amazing, and are built like tanks with the highest quality components. They are sold by Vinshine Audio and their teriffic leader Alvin Chee, and they have a US based repair center.....and clearly state they've stockpiled a decades worth of the transport mechanism. I directly compared the CDT-2 MkIII ($2,650) with the CDT-3 MkIII ($5,300) over 3 months, and I personally could not consistently differentiate between the 2 units. After I upgrade my streamer and DAC later this year, I'll be adding a CDT-2 MkIII. That said, the Teac VRDS-701T gets a lot of love as well; and seems to be well made.....I've just never tested one. Best of luck to you

@tuberist 

+1  I kave owned too many cd players whose lasers crapped out (mostly front loaders). I too have the SMSL PL200T excellent sonics .especially when powered by S Booster Mk 2, and a much safer buy than the Shanling ET3, whose service SUCKS: they will not fix or sell parts without original purchase receipt. WTF?

I also have Topping D90 preamp and Discrete dac- combinations are easily comparable to multi-thousand $$$ so called hi-end kit

HTH

You have a AES/EBU output on your Cary, right?  It looks like an awesome player.

I can't imagine that you'll get much improvement from a new transport if yours is functioning properly and you're using the same type of input/output.  That's a total guess on my part. 

I assume you have experimented with cables?