April Music Stello CDT200 transport

zybar · « **on:** 16 May 2005, 03:27 am »

Has anybody here tried the April Music Stello CDT200 transport?

I am wondering if it would be an improvement over my EA modified Sony S-7700?

George

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #1 on:** 16 May 2005, 03:30 am »

George,

Here's the thread...

Phil's Holiday Party.[/list:u]

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #2 on:** 16 May 2005, 04:35 am »

Quote from: zybar

Has anybody here tried the April Music Stello CDT200 transport?

I am wondering if it would be an improvement over my EA modified Sony S-7700?

George

You getting the upgrade itch again, George? I've only read the very good reviews about it.

Michael

tvad4 · « **Reply #3 on:** 16 May 2005, 04:49 am »

George, I haven't heard the Stello, but I have owned an Electrocompaniet CDP modified by EA. I have a hard time believing a "budget" transport made in Korea can compete with a custom modified Sony 7700. The Sony was chosen by Steve Nugent for it's excellent build quality, and the parts and mod design he employs must certainly outperform the Stello. I'd be shocked if the truth was otherwise.

zybar · « **Reply #4 on:** 16 May 2005, 12:06 pm »

I am skeptical too, but a few people who have had the unit are quite impressed and think that it is well beyond its price point.

Of course, that's why I would like an audition to hear it for myself.

George

PhilNYC · « **Reply #5 on:** 16 May 2005, 12:28 pm »

George,

As lonewolf mentions, we had one over at the Holiday Rave. Thought the Stello transport did a good job...the initial impression is that there was more weight and better bass performance than the EA S7700. But I thought that about the CD-PRO2M kit on initial listen as well. Longer-term listening with the CD-PRO2M kit revealed some of its short-comings...a little bit harsh and fatiguing (a lot of kit builders/modders are focusing specifically on these shortcomings with their kits with varying levels of success). The Stello was more similar to the CD-PRO2M in overall sound than it was to the EA S7700 in that initial listen...I'd really like a chance to spend more time with it to see if it has the sophistication to compete with the EA S7700 in the longer term (dave, are you listening?

)

In the end, I continue to use the EA S7700 as my reference. Would love to find a reasonably-priced stock transport with the same performance...if I could find one, I'd also love to become a dealer for it...but so far, I haven't found it.

MttBsh · « **Reply #6 on:** 16 May 2005, 02:45 pm »

seeking advice:
I bought a used S7700 a couple of years ago, and have listened to it A LOT. I've considered having the EA mods done, but how long a life do these players have? I've heard the lasers last a long time but surely other parts start wearing out after a few years. As much as I'm convinced the EA mods bring the player to a "reference" level, it's hard to justify spending $700 on an older used player I bought for $250 that may not have much life left to it (it still works perfectly).

Any thoughts?

Thanks, Matt

tvyankee · « **Reply #7 on:** 16 May 2005, 03:01 pm »

hey guys.

looking forward to seeing everyone this weekend and i will bring along the transport if you guys want.

zybar,if you want after the rave i would be glad to send it to you so you could take a listen to it in you own system.

if anyone is intrested in it i may be able to help you out.so just pm me and i will see what i could do.

btw it is a really nice unit and it has all the outputs you could want on a transport.

thanks .

PhilNYC · « **Reply #8 on:** 16 May 2005, 03:09 pm »

Matthew,

I bought two S7700's off of eBay last year (both sellers claimed "not heavily used", and neither had the original box (probably not audiophiles)). Had one modded last summer, keep the other one as a spare.

My modded one had a problem two weeks ago (just before HE2005), so I sent it back to EA. Steve contacted me this weekend to let me know that something must have jolted the unit (probably in transit to HE2005) and caused an internal part -- a rectifier -- to bend in and short against the power supply board. He said it is easily repaired at no charge to me and is sending it back today. He's also making an adjustment to prevent that from happening again.

Asides from this shipping/transportation-caused issue, I've had no problems at all with my EA S7700...and I use it easily an average of 5-6 hours per day over the last year...

JoshK · « **Reply #9 on:** 16 May 2005, 03:18 pm »

Indeed I think the Stello needs a revisit, I don't think we gave it a fair trial and it was loud and we had many beverages in us. I think what you said Phil about it sounding like the CDMpro2 kit but later your feelings changed about the kit is consistent with us needing another listen.

Eric · « **Reply #10 on:** 17 May 2005, 12:00 am »

I own the Stello transport and am very impressed with it!

zybar · « **Reply #11 on:** 17 May 2005, 12:16 am »

Quote from: Eric

I own the Stello transport and am very impressed with it!

Eric,

What did it replace and what did you compare it to?

What digital ic are you using? Is it single ended or balanced?

Thanks,

George

Daniel · « **Reply #12 on:** 17 May 2005, 12:27 am »

The Stello dac/pre-amp is a sweet little piece, too. I didn't fall in love with the Stello amp but I've never heard it in a complete Stello chain. Dave, when's yer next Rave?

tvyankee · « **Reply #13 on:** 17 May 2005, 12:53 am »

hey daniel.

i am moving the week of the 23rd and i will be in the new place.so i think i will try for the second or third week of july if thats alright with everyone.

hope all is well and looking foward to seeing you guys sat.

later

ekovalsky · « **Reply #14 on:** 17 May 2005, 01:23 am »

Quote from: zybar

Has anybody here tried the April Music Stello CDT200 transport?

I am wondering if it would be an improvement over my EA modified Sony S-7700?

George

Ahh.... new speakers, now a new scratch to itch

George, I highly doubt there will be much to gain from switching transports. But if you want a change the Stello seems to be well priced and it can certaily feed a nice S/PDIF signal to the TacT.

zybar · « **Reply #15 on:** 17 May 2005, 01:27 am »

I know...

But since I am set on the speakers, amp, and preamp, I am running out of places to try gear.

Pretty soon, I am just going to have to listen to music!!

George

PhilNYC · « **Reply #16 on:** 17 May 2005, 05:27 pm »

tvyankee...any chance you can bring the Stello transport to the June Rave at my place?

Mad DOg · « **Reply #17 on:** 17 May 2005, 07:59 pm »

Quote from: zybar

I know...

But since I am set on the speakers, amp, and preamp, I am running out of places to try gear.

zybar,

i'd highly recommend you try out the Silversmith Palladium interconnects and speaker cables as well as the Stillpoints component stand. the differences these items can make is not insignificant. you are someone who would definitely appreciate the differences these pieces would make!

i'd recommend asking Shokunin for his $0.02 on the Silversmith Palladium ICs...

Eric · « **Reply #18 on:** 17 May 2005, 09:39 pm »

Quote from: zybar

Quote from: Eric
I own the Stello transport and am very impressed with it!

Eric,

What did it replace and what did you compare it to?

What digital ic are you using? Is it single ended or balanced?

Thanks,

George

George,

I replaced an Arcam CDT-23T I was using as a transport. It is single ended. I am using I2Digital x-60 digital cables

Eric

zybar · « **Reply #19 on:** 18 May 2005, 01:03 am »

While I have no doubt how good the Silversmith products are, I am not willing to spend that kind of money on them.

As for the Stillpoints rack...I have owned the Stillpoints (not their rack) and I honestly prefer the Audio Points. I will stick with my Sistrum stands and Audio Points.

Thanks for the suggestions.

George