Bel Canto CD3t Transport Warning

[masluck]

Good Morning BC Nation,

First off, I don't go around slamming gear nor do I desire to write lengthy missives of the subtleties of sound regarding the gear I own. I have what I have and I like what I like.

What I must tell you all about is a piece of gear that I have now confirmed with (2) separate units that is not apparently compatible with BC6000/+20/Xe1 - MR1200 BC power conditioners for some reason. The latter unit actually had portions of its power supply redesigned in order to have it work in my rig to no avail. As some of you know, I have a BC501ob-LOC-KQ DAC. I was trying to find a reasonable (non overpriced esoteric) dedicated CD transport for my DAC. My budget was $1500 - Purists, please set your stun guns to stun please. I know the financial and performance disparity between a $1500 transport and a $11K DAC. So, I had $1500 available to spend.

I purchased the Bel Canto CD3t transport. The transport got great reviews and has AES/EBU output - IMHO, sounds better on the BC501. So I put it in and it sounded great. What I didn't notice at first was it's impact on the BC23-705-L2 phono stage, until one day I switched inputs with the volume up a tad and I heard this whine from the speakers. Well, to make a long story short I did all the isolation triage and discovered that the Bel Canto's switching power supply was inserting noise back into the system. It was less when I plugged the unit straight into the wall (via an extension cord), but still there.

So I had the dealer work with Bel Canto on a fix (aka the power supply redesign) and waited weeks for it to arrive. Last night the dealer brought it over, we plug it in, switch to phono stage input and the whine is still there. As I said, we tried all kinds of triage on the unit to no avail.

The reason I am writing this is to warn you all of potential issues of compatibility of this transport if you have a system configuration like mine. I have discussed this already with Gil But when I was in Innerkip last weekend.

What I seek from all of this disclosure, are any recommendations for a CD transport (I would like to buy new) that is in the $1500 area with a max of $2000 shipped, that would be a great compliment to this fine DAC and my system. Thanks for your time and any recommendations!!

Mark

[Double D]

Wow... that sounds like a whole lot of pain..
Perhaps now is the time to consider moving to a music server arrangement ? for the $$ you are thinking of putting into a CD spinner, you could set yourself up with a top notch PC/MAC to dedicate as music server and start ripping your library.
I gave up on CD's in 2012.. and haven't regretted it, as a matter of fact, the music server setup is very flexible.. and sounds MUCH better.

[nikki]

I recommend the music server route as well and it would fit your budget. I almost never spin discs anymore, even though in my situation, the transport sounds a little better than the server ... although that may change as I am going to reconfigure things soon.

The convenience factor is hard to ignore.

[splityew]

Hi Masluck

Sorry to hear about your problem.
A few months ago I seriously considered the Bel Canto CD3t to partner with my Blue Circle DAC, I enjoy the ritual associated with owning physical music media, anyway I ended up with a used Linn Ikemi to use as a transport and couldn't be happier. But since you're looking for a new machine I also considered and recommend the Moon 260D CD transport. However it was a few hundred more than the Bel Canto, which represented my limit too at the time.
Nevertheless, it's a newly designed transport, extremely well-built and backed by Simaudio's excellent customer service.
If anything happens to the Ikemi the 260D will be my next transport.

[masluck]

Thanks guys for your suggestions - yes, tons of pain. To be honest, I have a Macbook Pro running Decibel in hog mode that I used run into my old BC509 (before I sold it) and it was alright, but to Nikki's point - it never sounded as good and I do like the tactile nature of picking a disk and loading it up - call me old fashioned. My 501ob doesn't have USB input, so I would have to use my USB Thingee as a USB to SPDIF converter and on and on..I still spin tons of LP's and my preamp requires I get off my ass to adjust volume, soooo. I looked at the Moon Neo 260D and that is right in my wheelhouse - stay Canadian, if you will.

Mark

[Double D]

Very good choice !

[Freddy]

I might add the Oracle CD1000MKII transport is a very fine Cdn made unit.
AES out, and I believe Soundstage in Waterloo has a second hand one available - probably right in your price range.
Fred

[masluck]

Thanks to all that have replied to my quest for a new digital spinner . Based upon the suggestion from Splityew, I did some research into Simaudio's offerings and have ordered a new Simaudio Mon Neo 260D to mate with my BC501ob-LOC-KQ. I did give the music server idea some thought, but I am more tactile of a person and my other half would be challenged dealing with music server UI's - not that she isn't computer literate, she just can't be bothered (horse girl ) with that stuff. I should get it this week and am really looking forward with it. Besides, this yankee is helping to keep the Canadian hi-fi manufacturing industry alive and well.

Mark

[splityew]

Hi Mark

Very nice! Please let us know how you get on with your new transport. I've seen one but never actually heard it. I'm very interested in how it performs especially compared to the Bel Canto.

Chris