@tweak1 I’ll pm you my NuPrime contact info (CEO). He’s quite responsive. I tried the CDT-8 Pro. Here is a summary of my impressions that I posted on their FB Page: “The CDT-8 Pro is a beautiful transport in terms of finish, functionality and features. Though my Theta Digital DSPro Basic IIIa can only accept PCM/44.1kHz and PCM/48kHz input digital streams, the DAC locked on to the CDT-8 digital stream when the SRC value was set to "off", "PCM-44.1kHz" or "PCM-48kHz" data stream sampling rates.
“All of the functionality of the Remote is duplicated with operations control buttons on the CDT-8 transport face plate. Only exception is the SRC value settings, which must be set using the Remote from what I can tell. The same might also apply to track repeat and shuffle functions—seem to be Remote only functions.
“Only minor bit of confusion in reading the User’s Manual in relation to CDT-8 transport function is the operation of the Standby button on the transport face plate. Impatient American’s like me simply cannot quickly punch that Standby button in the hopes of engaging the operational features of the transport. One must hold the Standby button down for at least 2 seconds or until the Standby LED blue light turns off and the transport’s menu LEDs turn on. Same applies to re-engaging the Standby status using the transport’s front panel Standby button. Push and hold the Standby button on the unit face plate until the Standby LED blue light illuminates. The same patience is not required of the unit’s on-off button on the Remote: a quick punch of that button immediately prompts the desired command.
“Support sent me an email regarding the output circuit jitter level for the CDT-8 Pro being at 120 psec. Though this is higher than my CAL Delta transport, I will figure out an appropriate DAC solution for it.
“Great communication from Jason, the CEO. He obviously cares about his product working for his customers.” Here is the only online review thread about the CDT-8 Pro that I discovered: https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=158771.0I’ve since returned it to NuPrime’s NA Office in California for a refund. I opted to a Jay’s Audio CDT2-Mk2 transport. |
Must be a special digital cable to prioritize that product over a transport and DAC. |
@tweak1, I understand the significance of the toslink digital cable and its inability to be used as a digital cable with the Jay's Audio transport. I guess I would have chosen the transport and DAC for their SQ's and then obtain a compatible digital cable to mate the transport and DAC together.
That you think highly of the WireWorld toslink digital cable is admirable. I am sure the NuPrime CDT-8 Pro will suit your needs quite well!
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Well, the Marantz player has the optical digital output you wanted. Enjoy! |
@tweak1 I sent a private message to you regarding my NuPrime contact. Did you send an email to him? You will not hear from the NuPrime general email boxes. They appear to be dead correspondence boxes. |
@tweak1 You’re welcome, my friend!
The CEO, Jason, will promptly respond to your email inquiries. He communicates quite well.
I waited forever for a reply from their general email accounts. Nothing for weeks.
The SRC works quite well from my limited experience with it. As long as your DAC has a digital signal lock indicator, you should be able tell if the selected sampling rate is accepted. I presume the “SRC Off” setting is simply 44.1kHz, as it worked with my DAC that only has the ability to accept 44.1 and 48 kHz data streams.
NuPrime emailed me their jitter specs as measured at the output clock circuit. It’s 120 psec. |
I’ve sent an inquiry about the brand/model of the laser assembly/mechanism used in the CDT-8 Pro to Jason Lim who is the CEO of NuPrime. I’ll post his response if and when he responds. I sent the link to this thread to him, so he may respond directly. |
This comes from a couple emails from Jason Lim regarding the CDT-8 Pro transport mechanism:
“Thanks for mentioning online. The transport info is on the product page:• Philips SAA7824HL high-end laser reads/writes head control and decodes chips for CD transport. There are a lot more than the transport, the decoding is very crucial too, and we have a team from Microchip Technology helping to write the firmware code. Our sales volume is so low that such assistant came from old friendship between the bosses :).”
And regarding the actual brand/model of the disc spinning laser assembly or mechanism:
”Dan,
That I am not sure. I have to check with R&D if they allow me to talk about it. What I do know is that part of the design was sourced from a company that also provided the exact same solution to several other brands that sell for $2K to $4K. NuPrime is a no frill engineering company and I am very sure the same thing would cost much more elsewhere. Seems that such details are important to some customers. The transport details were added after the product page was published so it is possible some people didn’t see it.
Jason” |
Jay’s Audio CDT3 uses a different Philips laser transport mechanism from the CDT2. |
The Philips laser servo controller chip is likely compatible with a lot of laser mechanisms. No proof that the Sanyo mechanism is in the CDT-8 Pro. |
Word from my Jay’s Audio contacts is that the Philips CDM-4 transport/laser assembly mechanism for the CDT2, MK2 can be obtained for $350, including shipping.
No word from Jason of NuPrime Audio about what Brand/Model transport/laser assembly mechanism is in the CDT-8 Pro. |
Anyone can pop the hood of their CDT-8 Pro and discover the brand/model of the laser transport mechanism. It isn’t like NuPrime can encapsulate it in a wax block like M&K did with their electronics back in the 1970’s. |
Got a message from Jay’s Audio US Rep. wrong currency price quote. Philips CDM-4 laser price is $100 + $50 S/H from China. |
The Jay’s Audio folks want $200 (S/H included) for the laser. Sounds like a rip-off to me. I’ve seen eBay listings for a generic Philips CDM-4 laser from $50 to $100. |
Yep. LP playback was also declared dead circa 1982, the dawn of “perfect sound forever.” |
Not sure why someone would even buy a Redbook CD player—let alone a Redbook CD transport and Redbook DAC—if they believe Redbook CD playback is a dying and soon to be dead medium. Why bother wasting the money? Just buy a streaming device and be done with it. |
Jason of NuPrime said the laser and transport assembly are Sony designs. |
