Cheap Dedicated Transport: Little Dot, or...

murf · « **on:** 19 Dec 2011, 05:36 pm »

Hello Audio Experts!
I would like to try a dedicated transport to feed into my W4S dac-1(w/ dac-2 cap mods). I'm tired of getting decent used cdp's that break. Thus I am wary of getting great but old transports (ie: Esoteric, Theta, Cal Audio Delta, PS Lambda, etc). I would prefer to spend less than $500., if possible!
The Little Dot cdp-1 seems to stand alone at the low end. Then maybe the HIFIDIY CDM12 kit, and then the Lite Audio LT-ONE which is over my limit (probably). Any others?
So, will the little dot cdp-1 sound better as a transport than say, the Marantz sa8003 or Berendsen cdp2? Ditto for the other above transports?

TIA! Murf

timind · « **Reply #1 on:** 19 Dec 2011, 11:30 pm »

Up your budget a bit and get a Mac Mini. Rip your cds in your choice to AIFF with XLD and you won't have to worry about the transport.

SET Man · « **Reply #2 on:** 19 Dec 2011, 11:39 pm »

Hey!

Currently I'm using Sony SCD-C200ES 5 CD/SACD changer as my transport. Works fine for me. But I have to admit that I'm also curious about the Little Dot transport also.

Take care,
Buddy

JLM · « **Reply #3 on:** 19 Dec 2011, 11:41 pm »

Non-computer options:

Oppo 93: $499, very good sound quality, will play nearly any format.

Really cheap:

Used, look for Oppo 970/971 (former Stereophile rated).

eclein · « **Reply #4 on:** 20 Dec 2011, 12:52 am »

See if Virtue Audio has any Piano M1's left...built like tanks but sound exqusite...I got one and will probably never need a new CD player ever.....seriously....Virtueaudio.com
They have a circle here...check it out

murf · « **Reply #5 on:** 20 Dec 2011, 02:59 pm »

Yes, but...
I have a good dac, so I was wondering if a dedicated transport at 1/2 the price would be better than a transport in a cd player where I'm paying half the price towards the dac that is included. And I'm not into ripping my music yet.
If I could go new & still get quality sound that would be best. Getting a used transport, whether stand alone or in a cdp seems like buying a replaceable (sometimes available) part.

Murf

tull skull · « **Reply #6 on:** 20 Dec 2011, 05:14 pm »

Please forgive me if this is a stupid idea or if it is just not relevant anymore but I remember an article from several years ago about using a stand alone computer disc reader. I think it was at the Positive Feedback site and the author was quite impressed. I remember you had to use some type of disc cassette for this particular reader, and perhaps that is why he got good results. Does anyone remember that article?

srb · « **Reply #7 on:** 20 Dec 2011, 05:43 pm »

Pure CD external readers don't exist anymore, and are at a minimum CD/DVD readers without a laser optimized for CD audio playback. I would also expect that anyone who is using the device for playback of their music library would want transport controls at a minimum which are usually absent from these devices, and probably wouldn't mind having remote control either.

Steve