Half width (compact) cdp's as transports

[The Black Adder]

Hi all.

Can anyone recommend to me a decent half width CDP as a decent transport?

I had the vintage P-500 once and loved it but the laser died. So I've been looking for something to fit my DAC which is also half width. Why half width I hear you ask?... Well it's something that fits my current setup and a full width box will disturb my Funky-Sheet.. :)

The vintage TEAC's are great but the lasers worry me, that is the KSS151A's to which are bonkers money to replace. Not an easy job to do in most vintage gear either so I've heard.

So I've been looking at the TEAC PD-H01. It's a dinky little cutey but I have my reservations on CD-ROM players but that's mostly down to not knowing how they compete with say my old P-500 which had a VRDS mech. (albeit CMK4 and not the best but it was better than the T1's CMK4 mech as they were different).

Something else I've seen is the spinners by Pro-ject.. they look great, the RS though is too expensive.

So has anyone tried the TEAC or can someone offload some info on other options? - My budget is cheap because I'd rather put any money in to my TT right now.

Or if anyone has a vintage unit not doing anything please let me know... might be interested.

Thanks
Jo

[CageyH]

How about the Pro-Ject CD DS?
If not, something like a Cyrus?

[The Black Adder]

Cheers... not a massive fan of Cyrus tbh.. Had a cdp before and couldn't get on with the sound, saying that I never used it as a transport.

The Pro-Ject DS looks nice for sure... lol, I think I have some snobbery when it comes to CDR drives used in audio but, as I said I don't know how they compete so my vain snobbery may be short lived.. lol

[The Barbarian]

Sony 'CDP X3000ES' Superb fixed lazer mech

EITs506unA4

[The Black Adder]

Aye, Andre - that is a lovely looking bit of kit I would love to give a go.

[CageyH]

Rega Apollo-R
Audio Note Zero CDT Transport

[DSJR]

Linn Karik? Someone on PFM found the Hitachi laser for it, but you have to set the focus and brightness up properly (sounds like an old TV, but it has to be done :)). The Karik sounds much better as a transport than Linn allowed the electronics to on their own (as they wanted Numerik upgrade sales).

On the Linn theme, the Ikemi may be affordable now and although I wasn't a huge fan of the complete player (they did get better though I think), the transport was lovely I remember.

[struth]

Rega Apollo-R
Audio Note Zero CDT Transport

+1

[The Barbarian]

Aye, Andre - that is a lovely looking bit of kit I would love to give a go.
I do prefer the 'X5000' with the round control buttons

[worrasf]

Cheers... not a massive fan of Cyrus tbh.. Had a cdp before and couldn't get on with the sound, saying that I never used it as a transport.



I've been very pleased with my Cyrus CDXTse2+/PSxR. It's a pure transport (I use a Caiman 2)

[Clive197]

I've been very pleased with my Cyrus CDXTse2+/PSxR. It's a pure transport (I use a Caiman 2)

+1, I use mine with the Cyrus PreXdQx + PSX-R2 into a pr. Cyrus MonoX's. Fabulous sound

[tonerei]

Reckon you must have had an early Cyrus. Anything from CD8X up will be very good to excellent. Another kinda half width contender is Meridian 596. I have one!
Use as a CD transport into Lampizator Dac. Even as standalone CDP it is excellent and relatively cheap. It cost £3k+ originally and is available now for less than £500.
It plays DVD also and I think this contributes to its low resale value.

[steve s]

Hi Jo

If you're on a low budget you cant go wrong with something like this :

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/301402323179?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I've got the PD-H500 (about £50 off ebay 2 months ago) which I believe is identical and it sounds great and is very well built. It has a very smooth transport mechanism and plays anything. Digital output is optical only (no coax out) but I struggle to decide if the digital or analogue output sounds best, they both sound sweet and detailed.

Steve

[The Black Adder]

Hi Jo

If you're on a low budget you cant go wrong with something like this :

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/301402323179?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I've got the PD-H500 (about £50 off ebay 2 months ago) which I believe is identical and it sounds great and is very well built. It has a very smooth transport mechanism and plays anything. Digital output is optical only (no coax out) but I struggle to decide if the digital or analogue output sounds best, they both sound sweet and detailed.

Steve

Indeed Steve.

Thing is I had the PD-H500 a long time ago so would like to go with something different, but the 500 was a great unit so it's a possibility. Thanks for your post :)

[Tarzan]

Jo, l use a TEAC PD-H600 as a stand alone CD player and is built like a brick s- house, these look cool and can be had for buttons nowadays.

[The Black Adder]

Jo, l use a TEAC PD-H600 as a stand alone CD player and is built like a brick s- house, these look cool and can be had for buttons nowadays.

Hi Andy. yeah, that is a great cdp... if only I could find one. might have to place a wanted ad.

[Tarzan]

Hi Andy. yeah, that is a great cdp... if only I could find one. might have to place a wanted ad.


They do come up from time to time, as l nearly purchased a second one.... also sound nice on their Jack Jones.

[The Black Adder]

Cheers, Andy for that... I'll see what I can find. Hows things with you matey anyway?

[Tarzan]

Cheers, Andy for that... I'll see what I can find. Hows things with you matey anyway?

Good thanks Joe, any more pictures of your listening room knocking about mate?

[The Black Adder]

Good to hear :)

Not at the moment, me ol matey. We are moving house so most of the kit is in boxes at the moment. Selling some stuff on, cutting down on vinyl. I don't mind really as it was spiraling a bit.

So this is why I'm looking to get a small CDP, Ii'm finding it really hard to find anything to be honest that will satisfy my penchant for well made, well engineered kit, lol

But, I might pull the trigger on a TEAC PD-H01, it's a dinky little thing but should be ok. Thats if I can't find a PD-H600. Either that or just throw in the towel and get a full sized box...

[orbscure]

Not that I have any association with the seller, is this any good for you?

http://www.retrotechaudio.co.uk/teac-p500---171114.html

[howlindawg]

I'll give the little Pro-Ject CD-Box SE a plug.
I used one as a transport feeding a dCS DAC and it was excellent.

Quiet in operation, lovely clear display, read every disc I tried and a pleasure to use.

Even new they're great value but a clean, used one could be a bargain.