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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
dekay's avatar
dekay
2,959 posts
 
Gunbei: I hate to bring this up, but a used Sony 9000ES SACD player is in your price range. Can anyone rate its performance as a transport? I know that Albert Porter has one, but do not know if he has tried it with an external DAC. I can only consider the unit if it will play "digital audio recordable" CDR's and will be testing this in a couple of weeks with the help of Albert. I think that the breaking point of whether SACD software will become readily available is soom approaching.
gunbei OP
2,327 posts
 
Dekay. As usual you have read my mind. Yes, the 9000ES is something I have considered too. Supposedly, a pretty good transport with SACD to boot. I'm wondering if the EVS or Stan Warren mods in combination with the Bel Canto would be redundant or cumulatively positive. I'm sure they'll benefit the SACD playback. Thanks Bro.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
4,163 posts
 
If I had your system and had $1k, I would not buy a transport. It's a bang for the buck thing. My radical suggestion is to sell off all your speakers + sub and purchase a Proac Response 2, or possibly a Spendor S100. The not so radical suggestion is to spend the $1k on tweaks -- do you have an excellent equipment rack? are your cables optimized? room treatment? isolation products? Either of these suggestions will yield a greater sonic improvement than upgrading a transport. However, if you do go the transport route, my recommendation is the Sony 333ES, a multi-disc SACD player. It's available for $600-800, new. Hope this helps!
ezmeralda114405
55 posts
 
Gunbei, try to wrangle a in home trial for a day with a high-end transport (maybe from dealer or even a friend) and compare it to any basic cd player with a digital out. Do it blindfolded a/b fiddle around for an hour or too and see if you really hear a difference. Onhwy61 is right, a grand can do alot more in other places.
gunbei OP
2,327 posts
 
Onhwy61 and Ezmeralda, point well taken. I'm already in the process of evaluating all supporting pieces [tweaks], which includes all cables [power cord too], power conditioning, and vibration reduction components.

I've noticed that Black Diamond Racing Cones do make a difference in my system, so I'm considering other enhancements too.

Thanks for the different perspective. I appreciate it.
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