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Looking to Buy My First CD Transport

I'm thinking of buying a CD transport and am looking for recommendations around the $1000 USED mark.

I've read great things about the Theta Data Basic I and II, and I really like the fact one of those can be purchased for $400 - $700 used. I was also wondering what people thought of the Sonic Frontiers SFT-1. What about the Anthem CD-1 6-disc changer as a transport? Any other recommendations would be appreciated.

My current system is comprised of Musical Fidelity E60 CD player [the unit I'm looking to replace], Bel Canto DAC 1.1, Sim Audio Moon I-5 integrated, Sonus Faber Concertinos and ProAc Tablette 50 Signatures, and NHT SW3P subwoofer.

The setup is in a 12 by 16 foot room, and my tastes lean more towards musical enjoyment, than analytical reproduction.

Thanks!
gunbei
redkiwi
1,092 posts
 
You can get a Theta Data II for that price - much better than the Basic. But I must admit they are not the most reliable or easy to repair CD Transport I have owned. With other DACs I find the Data II trounces the DVD players, but you should really try a DVD player as recommended by Bel Canto - sometimes these manufacturer guys know what they are talking about when they recommend something as a synergistic match with their goods.
gregg_c
36 posts
 
I just sold my Wadia 22 last week; but, it is an excellent transport. Wadia puts a lot of effort into a quiet power supply and simply have some of the best sounding transports in the market. I think you could pick one up for $800 to $850.
drrdiamond
671 posts
 
EAD T-7000 (or 8000). I have used it as the transport (ever since it was released) in my $50+k system for many years and have been very happy. Basically it is the same as the Theta Data but with more attention to electrical and mechanical isolation.
tom_nice
387 posts
 
Sonic Frontiers SFT-1 is very good, but will probably cost more used than Audio Alchemy DDS Pro. (If I have initials wrong, it's their top of the line.) The AA was underrated from the start, IMHO, and it didn't help for the company to go out of business. But that may help YOU, pricewise. It features the Pioneer "Stable Platter", arguably a better design than almost all Philips models, as used in many name brand transports. The DDS Pro has a separate power supply, and is massive, helping with vibrations. I own and have used both products I've mentioned here, and like both a lot.
gunbei OP
2,327 posts
 
Thanks for the great advice. I'll definitely look into the Sony, Wadia, EAD AA, and the Bel Canto with a DVD player.
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