[Golden Monkey]

I tuned out on Head-Fi for a while, because it just started getting stupidly expensive for me, but lately I've been thinking about getting a new transport to replace my Denon DVD player.  I have no idea what's out there these days though, but I want something to add to my Monarchy DIP > OMZ > Woo 3+ chain.  I don't need it to be balanced, or to have really anything more than a 75 ohm digital coax out.  Basic CD player controls and functionality and a remote control would be nice though. What would you recommend in the sub-$600 range? Thanks in advance!

 

[soundboy]

Here you go....
 
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/58-14470&CAWELAID=596170374

 

[tuoppi]

Little Dot's transport should fit the bill.
 
http://www.littledot.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=823&sid=cb1561c60204a0127bcbf2076d9a5969

 

[Golden Monkey]

Quote:

Here you go....
 
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/58-14470&CAWELAID=596170374

Wow, crazy sale price, lol.  It's pretty much the same as my current player though, and I'm looking to avoid all the unnecessary video bits and focus purely on audio.  Besides, I already have an external DAC, but thanks for the link!

 

[Golden Monkey]

Quote:

Little Dot's transport should fit the bill.
 
http://www.littledot.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=823&sid=cb1561c60204a0127bcbf2076d9a5969

That's what I was thinking too...hmmm...(off to read reviews).  Thanks!

 

[pekingduck]

The problem with the LD transport is the slow response to button pressing...
 
User impressions at http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/377959/the-first-cd-transport-from-little-dot-will-be-releasing-soon
 
Quote:

That's what I was thinking too...hmmm...(off to read reviews).  Thanks!

 

[googleborg]

the little dot transport looks an awful lot like a budget dvd player in a different housing :/ its reported abysmal response time is perhaps indicative of this? 
 

 

[Golden Monkey]

I'm not liking the user impressions of the LD...that issue with slow response on the buttons is unfortunate and unacceptable, IMO.  I also don't really like the looks.  It would be fine if I still had other LD stuff, but it wouldn't look nice with my other gear.  That's a minor issue though.  I'm kind of leaning towards the Vanguard CDM12 Pro, from Pacific Valve:
 
http://www.pacificvalve.us/VanguardCDM12.html
 
It's a bit more though...

 

[tuoppi]

There really isn't anything else at LD's price range, at least to my knowledge. I guess there isn't much of a market for low cost transport only devices.

 

[pekingduck]

Quote:

the little dot transport looks an awful lot like a budget dvd player in a different housing :/ its reported abysmal response time is perhaps indicative of this? 
 

I guess not. From the little dot web site....
 
Quote:

The Little Dot CDP_I is a pure CD digital transport for outputting your CD's digital stream to an external DAC. At the center is Phillips/DAISy newest GF-8 CD Module, which is small, light, has exceptional data accuracy with error correction, and highly robust and reliable motor mechanism. Since CD modules have moving parts, it was extremely important to us to build the CDP_1 around a CD module that was not only accurate and precise, but also dependable for years of maintenance free enjoyment. Coupled with isolated, bit-perfect digital output, excellent signal isolation and jitter rejection, and the Little Dot CDP_I is a highly reliable and robust, zero maintenance, CD transport with a pure and accurate output as possible!

 
http://littledot.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=823

 

[ford2]

Quote:

the little dot transport looks an awful lot like a budget dvd player in a different housing :/ its reported abysmal response time is perhaps indicative of this? 
 

 And Perhaps not.

 

[googleborg]

I see, it uses the gryfalcon 8 transport or something like that.  I was going by the DVD/DTS etc on it's display, must be just a kit they use.
 
still, at well over £200 shipped it seems very expensive for what it is.

 

[elwappo99]

Quote:

Here you go....
 
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/58-14470&CAWELAID=596170374

I've been looking at this for some time. It looks like a good price, but very little information even here on head-fi. Anyone know if it will be able to play SACD through the coaxial output?

 

[coolcat]

I have a question to this issue too.Isn't it worth to buy some used vintage sony cd-players to use for the transport ,if I found a good one?
I  think they are very cheap ,eventhough the DAC part imo is not quite sp good compared to cd players nowaday(I own one),but the transport is quite solid (just my guessing)

 

[Golden Monkey]

Quote:

I have a question to this issue too.Isn't it worth to buy some used vintage sony cd-players to use for the transport ,if I found a good one?
I  think they are very cheap ,eventhough the DAC part imo is not quite sp good compared to cd players nowaday(I own one),but the transport is quite solid (just my guessing)

     I think as long as the mechanical side of things are good, you'll be ok.  Just make sure it has the appropriate digital outs to feed an external DAC.  A lot of older ones just have analog out.