Hello: I get a fair number of people asking me about transport replacement. Many have Phillips CDM Pro 9 units in one form or another and they are all comming to a natural old age.
I have been of late using a number of very inexpensive DVD players as transports and have been very pleased (having owned a Theta Data). This recommendation has however fallen on jaded ears and I am told that they want something beter than that (cheap DVE player). So I ask what used or new transport these days significantly better a Phillips CDM Pro 9 drive? What is hot and what is not? Thanks for any input regards Moray James.
I have been of late using a number of very inexpensive DVD players as transports and have been very pleased (having owned a Theta Data). This recommendation has however fallen on jaded ears and I am told that they want something beter than that (cheap DVE player). So I ask what used or new transport these days significantly better a Phillips CDM Pro 9 drive? What is hot and what is not? Thanks for any input regards Moray James.
Moray,
Transports and CD players are so "90's"!
These days people are ripping discs to HDDs and streaming them via audio servers to networked media players. No hunting for, taking out, and putting away discs/jewel boxes, and "no golden ear" effects of transport electronics.
Some of the players have connections for external DACs, and some (the only ones worth considering) support lossless audio file formats.
My audio server is a cheap PC I cobbled together from an $80 MoBo with CPU, and some old computer stuff I had laying around. I added a 250 GB HDD for music storage ($50 from woot), and an external 250 GB drive ($50 from woot) in a USB2 interface box ($25 from newegg) for back-up and portability. I used a Zonet USB 802.11g network adapter ($17 from newegg) to connect it to my existing wireless network. People who have bigger budgets than I do are buying NAS RAID units for servers and redundant backup.
I have 600+ CDs ripped to the HDDs in .flac format, all tagged with artist, title, etc., all ripped, flac'd and tagged using free software. They eat up about 185 GB, but it's no problem because I can just add more HDDs to the server.
I just got a Palmone T|X with built-in wireless networking that I can use as a remote control for the server. I haven't set it up yet, but supposedly it can be used to display CD artwork on-screen while a disc is playing and even song lyrics if you put them into the tags.
If a squeezebox isn't high-end enough for you, there are others out there that sell for thousands of dollars. Some will rip and tag the files (though I don't put much stock in automated systems like that- the on-line data bases they use are full of errors and require a lot of manual input), some use a TV screen for display. Unfortunately, most have some limitations that make them less than ideal- too small storage, expensive to expand, too small or no display, TV required for display, etc.
The nice thing about the squeezebox system is that there are no limitations as far as capacity is concerned. There is no danger of a squeezebox system ever becoming a mass market product because it takes too much knowledge of computer hardware, software, and networking for most people to set up. That's where you come in....
I_F
Transports and CD players are so "90's"!
These days people are ripping discs to HDDs and streaming them via audio servers to networked media players. No hunting for, taking out, and putting away discs/jewel boxes, and "no golden ear" effects of transport electronics.
Some of the players have connections for external DACs, and some (the only ones worth considering) support lossless audio file formats.
My audio server is a cheap PC I cobbled together from an $80 MoBo with CPU, and some old computer stuff I had laying around. I added a 250 GB HDD for music storage ($50 from woot), and an external 250 GB drive ($50 from woot) in a USB2 interface box ($25 from newegg) for back-up and portability. I used a Zonet USB 802.11g network adapter ($17 from newegg) to connect it to my existing wireless network. People who have bigger budgets than I do are buying NAS RAID units for servers and redundant backup.
I have 600+ CDs ripped to the HDDs in .flac format, all tagged with artist, title, etc., all ripped, flac'd and tagged using free software. They eat up about 185 GB, but it's no problem because I can just add more HDDs to the server.
I just got a Palmone T|X with built-in wireless networking that I can use as a remote control for the server. I haven't set it up yet, but supposedly it can be used to display CD artwork on-screen while a disc is playing and even song lyrics if you put them into the tags.
If a squeezebox isn't high-end enough for you, there are others out there that sell for thousands of dollars. Some will rip and tag the files (though I don't put much stock in automated systems like that- the on-line data bases they use are full of errors and require a lot of manual input), some use a TV screen for display. Unfortunately, most have some limitations that make them less than ideal- too small storage, expensive to expand, too small or no display, TV required for display, etc.
The nice thing about the squeezebox system is that there are no limitations as far as capacity is concerned. There is no danger of a squeezebox system ever becoming a mass market product because it takes too much knowledge of computer hardware, software, and networking for most people to set up. That's where you come in....
I_F
Mechanically todays best cd mechnisms are those from TEAC called VRDS (Neo) , Audiomeca.moray james said:
For me , old Philips mechs like CDM1 , 3 , 4pro and 9pro are one of best in cd history.
Offcourse , for good sound the whole electronic layout of component must be top rate , transport is base of clear jitterless information+long life.
Thanks but..... (longish)
Thanks to Gasho and Mark for the reply. I am personally very interested in the PC based systems and appreciate the info. I am surprised by the lack of response pertaining to stand alone CD transports though. The old Philips CDM pro 9 was of course the last of the great swing arm transports. Years ago I compared a number if transports and players such as the VRDS units and others but could not find one to equal much less better the CDM Pro 9 that I was using so held on to that unit. I tried (some time later) a Cyber Home ($45.00 CND) DVD player and was surprised that it was every bit as good or better than the Philips unit. Since then I have tried a number of units and now run a Philips DVP 642 DVD player as a transport since it has a panel display which the Cyber Home did not.
As mentioned most of the people that I have requesting recommendations on new transports seem to refuse to consider such a cheap (cost) transport. They want something that looks more impressive and costs more since they believe that they will be buying a better unit that way. I can not argue with their position but I really have no idea what represents a high quality transport in todays market place at say sub $2000.00 in CND funds.
Who make the best full clamp transports pioneer, teac any others? Are all of these upside down (disk position) devices or are there any with a full disk clamp where the disk is inserted playing surface down as well?
Just as an aside I thought I would mention that I recently experimented with installing a 3/4 dia by 1/8 inch thick doughnut shaped neo magnet (about 75 cents) on to the top side of my philips disk clamp. The disk clamp has a small magnet in it which is used to centre and clamp the disk clamp over the disk while it on the disk turn table. By installing the larger magnet on top of the disk clamp assembly both the centring and clamping force are greatly increased. You need to spend a little time to centre the magnet but once done a few drops of glue will hold it in position. I would also mention that you need to use the doughnut shaped magnet (ring) rather than a solid disk magnet as the solid disk magnet will be difficult to position (centre) over top of the existing internal magnet in the disk clamp. The results were a very pleasent surprise. The sound of the DVD player was significantly improved by the addition of the larger disk clamping magnet.
I hope this sparks a little interest in transports and still look forward to new recommendations of transport assemblies/brands which I can try and then recommend to others. Best regards Moray James.
Thanks to Gasho and Mark for the reply. I am personally very interested in the PC based systems and appreciate the info. I am surprised by the lack of response pertaining to stand alone CD transports though. The old Philips CDM pro 9 was of course the last of the great swing arm transports. Years ago I compared a number if transports and players such as the VRDS units and others but could not find one to equal much less better the CDM Pro 9 that I was using so held on to that unit. I tried (some time later) a Cyber Home ($45.00 CND) DVD player and was surprised that it was every bit as good or better than the Philips unit. Since then I have tried a number of units and now run a Philips DVP 642 DVD player as a transport since it has a panel display which the Cyber Home did not.
As mentioned most of the people that I have requesting recommendations on new transports seem to refuse to consider such a cheap (cost) transport. They want something that looks more impressive and costs more since they believe that they will be buying a better unit that way. I can not argue with their position but I really have no idea what represents a high quality transport in todays market place at say sub $2000.00 in CND funds.
Who make the best full clamp transports pioneer, teac any others? Are all of these upside down (disk position) devices or are there any with a full disk clamp where the disk is inserted playing surface down as well?
Just as an aside I thought I would mention that I recently experimented with installing a 3/4 dia by 1/8 inch thick doughnut shaped neo magnet (about 75 cents) on to the top side of my philips disk clamp. The disk clamp has a small magnet in it which is used to centre and clamp the disk clamp over the disk while it on the disk turn table. By installing the larger magnet on top of the disk clamp assembly both the centring and clamping force are greatly increased. You need to spend a little time to centre the magnet but once done a few drops of glue will hold it in position. I would also mention that you need to use the doughnut shaped magnet (ring) rather than a solid disk magnet as the solid disk magnet will be difficult to position (centre) over top of the existing internal magnet in the disk clamp. The results were a very pleasent surprise. The sound of the DVD player was significantly improved by the addition of the larger disk clamping magnet.
I hope this sparks a little interest in transports and still look forward to new recommendations of transport assemblies/brands which I can try and then recommend to others. Best regards Moray James.
if you're talking mechanical transports ...
some old tanks make fabulous transports - i'm pretty happy with my old sony cdp-779es. no spindle motor drama like my onkyos and replacement lasers still available (at least they were last year - i bought one to keep as a spare).
mlloyd1
some old tanks make fabulous transports - i'm pretty happy with my old sony cdp-779es. no spindle motor drama like my onkyos and replacement lasers still available (at least they were last year - i bought one to keep as a spare).
mlloyd1
If you search for CDM9 etc you will come across threads on how to swap optics from the normal 9/44 (they can still be found) into the 9 pro mech. Mostly it is the optics not the hall motor that failed. If not interested my offer is USD1.00 for every dead CDM9 pro based player you can let me have 🙂
I have tried some DVD players like the baby Sony I have as well as a Chinese Wharfedale affair from my bedroom. Previously also some Pioneer 515 I think. They did not outplay my Data Basic II, not even close. I do know there are some odd ball players from Toshiba for eg that folks on AA have said are very good....
Guillaume
I have tried some DVD players like the baby Sony I have as well as a Chinese Wharfedale affair from my bedroom. Previously also some Pioneer 515 I think. They did not outplay my Data Basic II, not even close. I do know there are some odd ball players from Toshiba for eg that folks on AA have said are very good....
Guillaume
WRT the Neo magnet, seems a good idea. Many have reported good things about rubber and bits of blu tack in the past, obviously it reduces slip between spindle and disc...
Funny thing is the older better mechs all used some rubber grippy stuff on the spindle (a litlle ring)
One concern, would the additional magnetic force not put additional sttrain on belts and gears etc when opening and closing? No stress on a 50 USD DVD I guess....
Funny thing is the older better mechs all used some rubber grippy stuff on the spindle (a litlle ring)
One concern, would the additional magnetic force not put additional sttrain on belts and gears etc when opening and closing? No stress on a 50 USD DVD I guess....
- Status
- Not open for further replies.