2. digital
  3. 998590711

best sub- 1000 Transport, new or used

I am putting together my 'final' audio system for a long while, and am looking for some recommendations on the best sounding CD-only transport for the system.

The DAC/preamp will be an EAD Signature Theatermaster, the amplification EAD PM 1000, and the speakers are Hales Design Group Concept 3. I have an EAD Theatervision P DVD player, but I suspect the CD performance is not up to the performance of a CD-only transport.

Any thoughts on a well-built CD transport that will match this system well?

---Michael
mjm6
drrdiamond
671 posts
 
I'm not sure that the DVD transport might not be OK. EAD has been in the business a long time and has been improving on other designs for years.
Thata discovered years ago the tremendous advantage of using a laser disc player as a CD transport. (I think they still make one that now also plays DVD's.) Then EAD came along and improved on the design with the T-7000 and 8000 transports (they are identical in quality for CD's). I personally have been using the T-7000 for my transport since they 1st came on the market. I find that in my $60+K system it has been wonderful! Over the years, I have changed everything except that.
keriadums
44 posts
 
If I'm not mistaken, your EAD has 24/96 dac's???...the only way you'll really be able to take advantage of the better processing (even with standard 16/44 cd's) is to use a DVD players 24/96 digital passing capablities (note all dvd players don't pass full 24/96!..but can be modified by MSB to do so). You should probably look at some of the better Theta Transports/dvd players. They make very good transports as a general rule (or rather use good transports), and should all pass 24/96! I find the 24/96 processing, even if you do mostly 16/44 cd's, is a major improvement fundamentally, and sonically, and should be accessed if you've got em!...
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
If your DAC has a Delta Sigma chip, the best buy is at Best Buy. It is an Aiwa CD Changer for $89. Fine out of the box, but search for threads on Stan Warren. He can modify the Aiwa for $150 and make it a killer transport.
supakit
18 posts
 
I used to have an EAD Signature + EAD T-7000 combo for music listening. This is the best transport+DAC combo I ever had. After selling T-7000, I've tried Krell CD Player, Audio Research CDT-1 transport but they didn't sound as good as T-7000 did. I didn't mean that krell and ARC products are not good, but I mean they didn't match well with my EAD Signature. That's the point.

I believe EAD-TVP would be a good match to your Signature. For example, TVP Coaxial digital out is set to be 75 Ohms which exactly match with Digital In of Signature. And I believe there are many other system matching that I didn't know between EAD products.

In case you really want to get CD transport, be sure to compare with EAD TVP before selling it as I'm still kicking myself for selling T-7000 until now.

Supakit S.
More to discover