HiFi Subjectivist ¦ Audio Forum ¦ NVA User Group

Having a change round and looking to buy a CD transport - something in the price range of the Audiolab 600.
There seem to be few alternatives and typically differing views on qualities but I'm more inclined to be guided by this forum.
Especially interested if anyone has experience of the Roksan Attessa transport since it's backed by a 5 year guarantee plus Roksan/Monitor Audio are local to me if the worst happens.
Thanks in advance.

I have a Cambridge CXC which is just fine for my purposes, although I believe that the Audiolab is a better all-round transport.

Like Fretless, I have a Cambridge CXC which is just fine for my purposes, and I too have been told that the Audiolab 6000CDT is a better all-around transport. Personally, I'm not keen on slot-loading mechanisms, but that's precisely what it is, a personal thing.

Why not buy a used CD transport / player for £30ish? There's your guarantee. Buy 2 at a time, so you can have 1 spare. About 5 of them would be a lifetime's supply. And still loads of money less than some new transport.

I like certain 1990's Phillips CD players (the ones with TDA1549 DACs).

Several old CDP's here are used from time to time as transports:

Kenwood DP4090 - AKA 'The Beast', a huge player with a great transport. Includes a remote with volume function.
NAD CD524 - nice rounded sound, inoffensive.
Arcam CD62T - superb transport, nearly equals the CXC.

The likes of Kenwood (Trio) and NAD can be picked up for a song. Often the lens needs a clean and the guide-rails for the laser array can get choked up with fluff, that's easily removed. Also a solid, vibration-free base is a help.

I use a 6000CDT and love it. The slot mechanism is a worry for some but I've used it every day for a year or so and never had any issues or scratches. I'd say that the slot mechanism is one of its best features, it seems very robust. The only downsides over a dedicated player are lack of features like being programmable. Also the pause feature only pauses for five minutes or something then stops the CD and you have to start again, that's probably its worst feature.

I recently got a Philips 751 cd player with the 1549 DAC for £45 Inc postage. At some point, I'll compare it to the Audiolab we use for shows.

The Audiolab is very good.

As a non cd user I ask, not for argument sakes, but why - most music is available online via a streaming platform- I have boxed all my cds.

I could be forced back if a Musical Fidelity M1 cdp turned up

Latteman wrote: ↑Fri Jan 27, 2023 12:13 pm As a non cd user I ask, not for argument sakes, but why - most music is available online via a streaming platform- I have boxed all my cds.

I could be forced back if a Musical Fidelity M1 cdp turned up

We have one for shows. If the network is flaky, we need something to fall back on.

Thank you all for taking the time to reply.
The idea of a "vintage" Philips player is certainly worth thinking about.
In reply to Latteman - I accept I'm living in the past but i have a lot of CDs which i enjoy playing.