[Freo-1]

I've not been entirely happy with CD playback for some time.  The hi-res digital formats sound great, but CD has been a bit of a bugbear.  I've played around with various CD players from Cambridge, Opera, Raysonic, etc. and while a lot of them were nice, still not what I had hoped for.

Enter some vintage Audio Alchemy equipment rescued from the scrap heap.  I wound up getting a DTI Pro 32 and DDE 3.0 DAC for use in a second audio system.  Initially, the primary use was for music server and SAT TV.  The sound was most impressive, to say the least.  I did not think the level of improvement would be as significant as it was.   Luckily, I was able to find a pair of I2S cables.  After changing the connection between the DTI and DDE to I2S, a noticeable improvement was heard. 

So, went on the hunt for a I2S transport, and was able to find a DDS Pro transport.  It's configured with a Pioneer stable platter mechanism, which is built more robust than most transports made today.   The I2S interface from the transport to the DTI provides a notable improvement in CD sound.  The  combination really sounds great together. 

So, the question is, why doesn't more manufactures use this interface?  There is virtually no jitter from this setup, and the sound difference is noticeable.  With this, CD playback no longer sounds like digital.  To me, it sounds like an analog master tape from a really high end machine, like a Studer/Revox.

[JoshK]

I think it mostly comes down to lack of standards and also it is not a trivial task apparently to devise a way to send such a sensitive signal much of a distance. 

I've always heard good things about that combo.  I think the fact that is uses a real multibit dac and proper engineering, not a bunch of trumped up chip talk spells a good design. 

I'm with you in wishing more was done in the I2S handshake.
My current transport/dac combo has I2S, but I haven't heard yet as my transport arrived DOA and my preamp is still just leaving hong kong.

[Freo-1]

Josh, am keen to get your impressions once you get your setup running.

[2gumby2]

You've listed some nice CD players you've tried, but if you haven't heard the Arcam FMJ CD37, I would recommend giving it a try. Earlier this year I bought a Sony SCD-XA5400ES and it was a step up from a very nice Marantz player I own. I was so happy with it that I decided to purchase another one. I found a Sony dealer that also carried Arcam and the salesman recommended the Arcam over the Sony. I took a chance and found the Arcam is a step above the Sony, and the Sony is a VERY good CD player. The Arcam though is just incredible IMO.