Transport for X-Dac V3

I have just managed to get hold of an X-DAC v3/X-10 v3/X-PSU V3 combo for just over 600 quid and am looking to sell my X-Ray v3 for 500 ish and go for a cheaper cd player/transport. Any recommendations?

Cheers

 

One of the Pioneer stable platter series.

 

I used to have one of those years ago. Are they reliable enough after all those years?

 

Hmm... dunno but they are cheap enough to replace!

I'm not sure you will get anything other than a cheap cd player with a digital out for significantly under £500. The stable platter is the best of that bunch.

Teac T1 is the next step up really, but your looking at about £350 now.

 

Do you have a view on whether this would make a good transport? From searching the forums, fixed laser mechanisms such as this, tend to make good transports but I can't find anything on this particuar model. Looks pretty smart too, in a retro chic kin of way.

 

The Teac T1? It should be pretty good. Michaelab uses, or used to use one I think. http://www.zerogain.com/forum/member.php?u=1

A lot of people mod them by adding a better clock. Something like a PFM Flea would do a good job I suspect.

 

The link didn't work. I mean the Sony X3000ES

 

Yes I suspect it will be very good. The digital out is transformer coupled and you can turn the analogue outputs off for digital use so they don't drain / contaminate the power line. With a PFM flea in there to replace the clock too... mmm ymmy. My friend has one and if I had the dosh I would probably buy it from him for use as a transport.

Look here (took a while to find!) - http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showpost.php?p=256049&postcount=142

 

Thanks again for your response. Sorry to bother you again though but as a bit of a novice can you explain "With a PFM flea in there to replace the clock too.."

 

Sorry, just followed the link and all has become clear .

I don't think I would want to take on that job though.

Is this something that would benefit the player as a transport only though.

 

It would definitely benefit a transport. A transport is basically a transport mech that reads the Disc and a 'clock' which pumps that data out at a steady rate. The 'Flea' is a good clock that has a built in power regulator as well. They are not very complex to build as the board has all the bits labelled and the Sony is nice for hat mod as its power supply board can handle the transformer for the Flea directly mounted on it.

Maybe it is a mod worth keeping up your sleeve for later.

I think I might rather go for a T1 transport though if it is the same price (Sony is about £250 isn’t it?)

 

LOL - it wasnt difficult - honestly

The Sony is a fine machine Fea or no Flea. The inbuilt DAC and analogue stage gives it a big, smooth, rich and lush sound which can be tailored to some degree with the four filter options but the basic character remains.

Transports cannot sound rich, smooth or lush so it should make a superb transport <ducks>

 

Glad you got back okay! Transports can definitely sound different, smooth or lush I don't know, but different

When I had the Chord Blu I thought it was great, more detail, imaging etc… but when I went back to my usual transport I realised the Chord added a harsh distortion to the treble. It was certainly not my imagination as it was physically uncomfortable to listen to some tracks a volume.

 

I have made an offer for the Sony of 200 and will see what happens. Is there a T1 for sale at the moment?

 

Not that I can see off hand. look out for any of the VRDS (Vibration-free Rigid Disc clamping System) series though.

 

Agreed, but I think the differences are very small indeed compared with the differences between DACs, analogue output stages, filters and the PSU.

Jitter.

Perhaps that particular Chord was out of spec?

 

Not cetain I agree.......try a cheap transport and an expensive one ...the differences are very marked. But on two mid range units it will be a question of presentation rather than wholesale change.

 

Theres a Teac T1 for sale here if thats what your after:

http://www.audio-cinema.co.uk/used.php?offset=36

 

Thats a good price!

 

The Gold Vrds10se They Also Have Looks Very Nice As Well - Though It Is Over Budget.