looking for the best cd transport only, without dac


I have a Hegel H160 with inbuilt DAC and I'm looking for cd transport recommendation for $1000 or so. I have Harbeth SHL5 + and like an open and transparent sound. I've considered PS Audio PWT and other used options. I'm currently using my $75 Sony bluray player for transport and surprised how good it sounds. I've auditioned transports like Marantz and Cambridge. Options like Primare and Audionote I have't been able to listen to, the latter ones used to get closer to price point. There is also the Oppo 203, but wonder about quality of sound sacrifices in jack of all trades box? When I have compared the few transports I've tried the sound quality differences were quite subtle. So have people here done some serious comparisons of sound quality of just transports and have any great recommendations? Thanks
ckharbeth
You might just compare the digital file that is output by the two transports. Do you see any difference at bit level?
An alternative test methodology would be double blind listening tests. Can you repeat your identifications under controled test conditions?
I’m wondering if anyone saw this PWT review:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/ps-audio-pwt-cd-transport

it it has some interesting features that a normal transport does not have, such as “re-read until successful” vs ecc error checking.
It has a memory section so it doesn’t read directly off the disc. When you remove the CD from the tray the music continues to play for another 30 to 60 seconds i.e. it’s ripped and stored then the signal ("bit perfect ") is sent to the DAC. I have one of the early units (6 years) and music continues to play nearly 90 seconds after CD removal.
Charles