Cd Transport or Cd player for my Atom

Hi-Fi Corner
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I am trying to decide between a Cd Transport or Cd player for my Atom. I am wondering being that the Atom has a Dac does it make sense to get a transport or a good CD player.
Thanks for you input.
Chris

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There are numerous threads on this subject my friend. Try a search first and read up on views/ experiences etc.
I personally would look at a nice transport of a similar footprint.
Rega or Project or Cyrus are worth a look.

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Thanks for the quick reply. I will do that.

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Hi Chris. You need to bear in mind that the Atom digitises analogue inputs. So, if you bought a CD player and used its internal DAC your music would be going through two DACs. If you bypassed the internal DAC and used a digital output into the Atom, you’d be paying for the player’s DAC and not using it. If you must have the ability to play CDs, I’d go for a transport. The Cambridge Audio CXC seems well regarded.

But do you really need a CD player? You could simply rip your CDs to an external disc attached to the Atom, or, as I do, to a NAS located on the home network. Cost effective and sounds good to my ears.

Roger

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I would look at those suggested by Neil and maybe add one of Cambridge Audio’s or Audiolab

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Thanks Roger, that is very helpful

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I actually use a Cambridge CXC transport myself, albeit through my Technics amp.
Very pleased with it.

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I know the CXC seem popular.
Not to put a spanner in here, but I had the first edition CXC.

Klonky noisy drawer and easy bettered by using an old Rega Saturn as transport only.
Needless to say I preferred the Saturn as a single player in good faith, source first (transport)
Admittedly Cambridge electronics is not on my list at all.

No idea about match to Atom but my UQ1 with the old Saturn works fine.

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I’d got for a player, not transport.
Is the footprint important? There are several good half-width options available…Rega, Cyrus, Audionote, Exposure…

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I use an Audiolab 6000CDT with my Atom and the pairing performs brilliantly. The 6000CDT a something of a bargain and well worth auditioning.
I also have a Rega Planet 2000 which I’ve run through the Atom and, whether over digital or analogue, it simply cannot match the 6000CDT for cohesiveness and impact.

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The Saturn is entirely different than old Planets.

Never heard any of the Chinese Audiolab, guess its made same place as other lost brands such as Quad, Cambridge, Leak etc.

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I use a Pro-Ject CD Box RS. Top loading every day for me :blush:

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The Pro- Ject is a serious bit of kit . That’s a nice set up you have

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Thank you! I have to admit that, while it performs perfectly, I chose the it primarily for aesthetic reasons. I like the sense of occasion it gives when loading discs… Yes, it’s more complicated than necessary but that’s part of it’s charm.

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I’m coveting that Pro-Ject. I might have to get one for my inbound NAIT 50 …

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Transport only I believe. A DAC will be required as well.

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You mean I have an excuse to get yet more kit??

I’m sure I have a DAC or two in the loft to be fair.

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Then the simplicity is lost.

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It’s a transport , you’ll need a DAC or maybe an Atom HE

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Yes, I didn’t pay enough thought to my CD now being digital output only …

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