Macca's Lash Up 2: Lash Harder

[Marco]

Just bought an Audiolab 6000CDT CD transport. Should be here tomorrow. Not entirely convinced it will make any improvement but only one way to find out. Got it off Amazon so it can go back if it proves to be a waste of time.

Inspired by Gaz's experiences with it, I presume?

I'd be surprised if it didn't make a difference, but make sure you use a good digital cable between it and the partnering DAC. Does the player have both a coaxial and optical output?

If you read Gaz's recent thoughts on the coaxial vs. optical thing, you'll see that he favours optical, and I have to say my recent experiences confirm the same. So... Do you have a decent optical or coaxial cable to use, and if so, what is it?

If you're open to reccos on either, on quality cheap-as-chips ones, I can give you some, especially what I used recently between my Panny Bluray player and Beresford DAC

Marco.

[Macca]

I use optical right now, no idea what the make of the cable is. Nothing fancy. I think it was a tenner,

The Audiolab gets glowing reviews everywhere, not just from Gaz! Got it off of Amazon so can go back if it is no different to the Oppo and the Panasonic (which as transports sound identical).

[Marco]

Lol yes, I know, but it's what's written here that counts most from trusted ears!

Anyway, hope you enjoy it

Marco.

[Gazjam]

Just bought an Audiolab 6000CDT CD transport. Should be here tomorrow. Not entirely convinced it will make any improvement but only one way to find out. Got it off Amazon so it can go back if it proves to be a waste of time.

Mine bettered my modded Oppo for Redbook Martin, linear psu i2S connection to the Dac and all.
Takes a couple of weeks 24/7 to fully blossom, its a detail/ambience/soundstage monster.
Just makes you forget the hifi and slip into the music.
Discovered much more in the mix of Bat Out of Hell CD, its wide open.

It used the same slot load mechanism Audiolab's £1K CD player from higher up in the range.

The Coax output has some attention payed to it, and I found it bettered the optical out.
Using a Wireworld Starlight 8 digital with mine, curious about getting something better to eek more out of the Transport.
Responds well to good power and digital cables, things built like a tank and granite slabs on it, isolating feet etc didn't make much difference.

Its a terrific piece of kit.

[Marco]

The Coax output has some attention payed to it, and I found it bettered the optical out.

I thought you said that you preferred optical leads, daftee, in a recent PM where we were discussing them?

Remember, it was when you'd just ordered the Monoprice optical lead... Did that arrive, btw, and if so, what like was it?

Marco.

[Macca]

Sounds promising!

I have a decent coax cable so I can try both alternatives.

[struth]

i used to prefer optical myself .. tbh there is very little in it all told, if your using decent cable. doesnt have to be silly money tho. glass optical is best....but obviosly if the optical mamma and pappa aint at their best then it dont matter how good the cable is. if its a really good machine like this i doubt you will get much difference

[Gazjam]

That was before the Transport (and cable) had some hours on it...
Cos of how it works my Dac's pretty bulletproof from Jitter, its more electrical interference than can cause issues?

Optical has zero effects here, so at first was the better sounding.
Burn on on the player and cable, the coax cable seems pretty well sorted RMF/EMI wise.

All subjective anyway, and can be kit dependant so no real absolutes here I'd wager.

I thought you said that you preferred optical leads, daftee, in a recent PM where we were discussing them?

Remember, it was when you'd just ordered the Monoprice optical lead... Did that arrive, btw, and if so, what like was it?

Marco.

[Marco]

Ah okies. no worries

Marco.

[Gazjam]

Sounds promising!

I have a decent coax cable so I can try both alternatives.