Digital Drive

Upsamplers, DACs, jitter, shakes and analogue withdrawals, this is it.

Return to Digital Drive

Message Sort: Post Order or Asylum Reverse Threaded

Parasound Belted Drive RIP OFF

24.36.108.93
Posted on March 27, 2010 at 21:57:00
Pingsound
Audiophile

Posts: 25
Location: S. Ontario
Joined: January 4, 2008



Heavy, well built & overpriced!!
I was ready to sell this BELT DRIVE, ULTRA BD2000 transport that I bought about 13 years ago (when the CEC was so desirable). The PAarasound was supposed to be CEC without the frills of automated disc drawer opening. THIS PARASOUND WAS B.S. Recently I was ready to sell mine. I realized it did not spin (checking it out before selling) so I decided to open it up (beyond warranty anyway) to see if a belt slipped. Numerous screws and had to be done in sequence (top-side bottom, back to top, etc). Parts went clunk and I panicked. I'm sure it was built this way to deter such curiosity. Nevertheless, I was not about to turn back (it didnt play anyway). When I finally opened the thing, I found the parts that went clunk - two solid square bars - tapped holes to accept the screws on each, painted black, but serving no other purpose than to add weight! Dammit!
I know when I bought this thing that I was partly sold by the bulk and seemingly indistructable, solid heft. That was also part of the company marketing - but this, I never expected.
Secondly, and pissing me off even more, was to find no belt at all. This contains a conventional disc spinner and laser. Shit, they made me believe I was buying CEC without the luxury of a motorized top sliding cover and getting everything else. Well, all I have is a common spinner whereas even a standard cd player has a motorized drawer to accept the disc. This one required me to open the lid, drop on the disc, drop on the hold-down puck and close the lid. Nice marketing job - dress up manual operation to make it seem like luxury stripped of a frill. If the selling point is construction without letting you see it, there is a reason. I took a picture of the guts and laying to one side are the two 1" square bars I removed. All I have left to say is beware of Parasound!, be suspicious of heft!

 

Hide full thread outline!
    ...
Some years ago (10?) they sold on Audio Advisor for about $220?, posted on March 28, 2010 at 08:33:00
Eldragon65
"Belt drive" "Analog sound" "Heavy Chassis" "Jitter reducing" is gimmick (snake oil) we are willing to believe in.

 

RE: Some years ago (10?) they sold on Audio Advisor for about $220?, posted on March 28, 2010 at 14:46:39
Pingsound
Audiophile

Posts: 25
Location: S. Ontario
Joined: January 4, 2008
 I paid $2000 cdn. for this thing based on a strong Stereophile review and Class A rating. It was a good transport - better that the rotel cd player I was using as a transport at the time but even then, the difference was minor. I sometimes thought some pro reviews were over-hyped and improvements described (to my ears) were not night and day different. I used to even think that I lacked the acuity or sensitive ears of the pros.
Since that time I've grown comfortable understanding & trusting what I hear. I no longer trust most store salesmen either when they try to make mountains out of anthills for sound differences. When I encounter that tactic that is trying to will me to buy the more expensive piece (having the salesman say "cant you hear the improvement ...etc?"), I walk out and dont return. I've now come to know where trusted stores are found. I also laugh in their faces when they try selling me on the sheer weight of stuff (since I bought the compact spectral gear). NOW I have more reason to laugh (but next time I may actually SAY what I think).

 

I am infuenced by weight, but if it smells I say so too., posted on March 28, 2010 at 19:42:05
Elizabeth
 I feel your pain. I have auditioned stuff that was supposed to be good, but, lucky for me if it sounded bad i said so. The most recent chunk of junk was a DAC I actually bought,rated digital of the year, blah blah blah.. (no audition available, local dealer) and it was no better than a ten year older, half the list price DAC I already owned. Glad I WAS able to return it.
As everyone says over and over, you gotta trust you OWN ears. The mags and stuff can be a guide.. but the final stop is your own head. So thanks for the heads up. The thing could have just been like an Oppo.. but the heavy bars JUST TO MAKE IT SEEM WELL BUILT suck. (though as an apologist might claim, they reduced the vibrations..)
Reminds me of the Oppo in a shell recently exposed that was just an Oppo ($500) inside a fancy case ($3,500) rebadged. If I owned one of those, that company would have a very large number of bricks over years of time.. through it's HQ windows... if they were far away, I'd PAY someone..(I am rather VIOLENT after all...)

 

Extra weight, posted on March 29, 2010 at 05:34:31
Jack G
Audiophile

Posts: 9740
Joined: September 24, 1999
 One could argue that the extra weight would help cut down on vibrations, if they were an optimist. The Philips 1000 SACD player had an extra plate in the bottom that added weight, so extra weight is not unheard of.
Everyone likes to think they got a bargain.
Jack

 

RE: Parasound Belted Drive RIP OFF, posted on March 29, 2010 at 09:13:26
herb's go karts
Audiophile

Posts: 301
Location: Ontario
Joined: December 13, 2003
 Wow, i've always thought about picking-up one of these on the used market as a less expensive alternative to the CEC unit it's supposed to be equivalent to.

I think the only CD players you can truly trust for outstanding build quality are the old Japanese battleship players.

 

RE: Parasound Belted Drive RIP OFF, posted on March 29, 2010 at 13:35:28
Nglazer
Audiophile

Posts: 365
Location: New york
Joined: June 22, 2003
 There is only one CEC, and they are worth the $$. I use a TL-1X that I believe was built in 1997. had it modded by RAM a few years ago, but other than that, no one has touched it. Operates flawlessly and beautifully. And it is HEAVY. Never opened it up, so no idea why. Nor do I care.

Neal

 

Owned Transport / DAC combo for the last 9 years ..., posted on March 29, 2010 at 15:41:23
Jonathan 90
Audiophile

Posts: 155
Location: Toronto
Joined: September 12, 2008
 Purchased from Toronto dealer floor model - price was right for the pair considering stellar reviews, reputation, not to mention that ‘UHF Magazine’ was using the pair for their digital reference.

The only annoyance over the years is that it doesn’t read all red book CD – dealer had it serviced twice for me – according to ‘work sheet’ among other work performed on both occasions the belt had been ... REPLACED ???

Regardless, never really solved problem – the backup is an old Elite DV-05 also connected to the DAC ... performs flawlessly – tubed CDP in my future?

 

It sure did wonders for that Philips 1000., posted on March 29, 2010 at 18:46:02
Dave Pogue
Audiophile

Posts: 11689
Location: DC Area
Joined: October 9, 2001
 Makes it a better boat anchor :-)

 

RE: Owned Transport / DAC combo for the last 9 years ..., posted on March 29, 2010 at 19:47:55
Pingsound
Audiophile

Posts: 25
Location: S. Ontario
Joined: January 4, 2008
 I bought mine from a popular Younge Street store. I'd love to know which dealer "replaced" your unit's belt for service. Mine had trouble with some discs too and was sometimes solved with a little photo-lens style cleaning of the easily accessible lens. Sometimes, as it didnt always work - another point of frustration before I mothballed it.

 

RE: Parasound Belted Drive RIP OFF, posted on March 29, 2010 at 19:54:43
Pingsound
Audiophile

Posts: 25
Location: S. Ontario
Joined: January 4, 2008
 Yeah, I wouldnt open a unit up that was performing flawlessly. And I sure didn't mean to put your CEC under the same ugly shadow cast by Parasound's shoddy (or even shameless) attempt at topload transport.
I'll bet your CEC was made VERY different from what I had.

 

RE: Owned Transport / DAC combo for the last 9 years ..., posted on March 30, 2010 at 15:35:38
Jonathan 90
Audiophile

Posts: 155
Location: Toronto
Joined: September 12, 2008
 Pingsound ... tried to send PM - your account may not be set up for it – PM me if you like.

 

RE: Parasound Belted Drive RIP OFF, posted on March 30, 2010 at 20:40:36
niws
Audiophile

Posts: 790
Location: Northeast
Joined: September 4, 2003
 I bought the last one Audio Advisor had for approx. $400. It arrived damaged and had to be sent to Parasound to be fixed. That was the only problem I ever had with it. I always thought it was a decent sounding transport for the money. I did sell it because I moved to changer that performed almost as well, but I needed a changer and it wouldn't fit in the cabinet that holds my 2nd system. That said, I regret selling it because there aren't many (any?) decent dedicated transports available these days for less than $500.

 

Welcome to the high end, posted on March 31, 2010 at 16:35:09
Ozzie
Audiophile

Posts: 3817
Joined: August 1, 2002
 In even the most pricy of players there doesn't need to be more than a handful of parts. So why do they cost so much?

As far as the transport you have in hand, how did ot sound?

 

Never buy a piece of gear without opening it up, posted on April 1, 2010 at 02:40:15
Frihed89
Audiophile

Posts: 15703
Location: Copenhagen
Joined: March 21, 2005
 That's a new rule of mine. Fortunately, with Audio Note that is not a problem.

 

RE: Parasound Belted Drive RIP OFF, posted on April 1, 2010 at 03:28:13
Werner
Audiophile

Posts: 2123
Joined: September 30, 1999
 Your picture is not very clear, but I do see a rather large spindle bearing and two motors not coincident with it. Hence the disc must be spun indirectly...
And then you wake up and realise that your classmates of old ... are running most of the TV shows.

 

Maybe Thats Why BAT Always Advertises Topless Gear....nt, posted on April 1, 2010 at 12:58:50
Dynaudio_Rules
 .

 

RE: Some years ago (10?) they sold on Audio Advisor for about $220?, posted on April 1, 2010 at 15:22:42
rbw@power800voicemail.com
Audiophile

Posts: 431
Location: Atlanta, Georgia Area
Joined: March 14, 2009
 Good evening all,

I have a Parasound C/BD 2000 Belt Drive Transport which I purchased used 2 years ago. I fell in love with the sound which I find to be awesome. I purchased it after reading a review in an early copy of Stereophile Magazine. As stated, this transport has a very liquid sound and an excellent sound spread with plenty of depth, width and fair height.

Recently, my transport stopped working. I called Parasound and purchased a laser and belt. I decided that I might as well replace these since the unit is getting up in age. I will be sending the transport back to Parasound for repair. Once I get it back, I will be looking for another 10 plus years of outstanding sound.

Bob
An African American audio, classical & jazz music lover. I love all great jazz, classical and folk music. Am also a lover of 1/2 track (15ips) reel to reel tape decks.

 

RE: Parasound Belted Drive RIP OFF, posted on April 1, 2010 at 19:26:02
Pingsound
Audiophile

Posts: 25
Location: S. Ontario
Joined: January 4, 2008
 OK Wiener, ya got me - APRIL FOOLS!

 

RE: Some years ago (10?) they sold on Audio Advisor for about $220?, posted on April 1, 2010 at 19:29:13
Pingsound
Audiophile

Posts: 25
Location: S. Ontario
Joined: January 4, 2008
 Hi Bob.
What did the belt look like?
Why didn't you replace it yourself?

 

RE: Parasound Belted Drive RIP OFF, posted on April 1, 2010 at 20:06:13
Pingsound
Audiophile

Posts: 25
Location: S. Ontario
Joined: January 4, 2008



The "rather large spindle" is FIXED. It does not turn, hence Sherlock, it has no use for a motor or belt.
On the top-side, the disc "spinner" spins freely.
Are you trying to call me out as a liar?
I OWN the thing and if I wanted to gain from owning this hollow box I would have kept quiet and just sold it "as is".
I am pissed off and I am offering my loss as a sacrificial warning to the unsuspecting - nothing more. Why should I keep this scam under wraps?

 

RE: Parasound Belted Drive RIP OFF, posted on April 1, 2010 at 20:10:57
Pingsound
Audiophile

Posts: 25
Location: S. Ontario
Joined: January 4, 2008



This picture shows the spindle in question; FIXED and does not turn. As you can see, it is held in place by a locking sleeve.

 

RE: Some years ago (10?) they sold on Audio Advisor for about $220?, posted on April 1, 2010 at 21:19:37
rbw@power800voicemail.com
Audiophile

Posts: 431
Location: Atlanta, Georgia Area
Joined: March 14, 2009
 Good evening PingSound,

Since I was going to have the laser replaced as well, I figured they might as well replace the belt. The cost is the same and very inexpensive at that. The belt has a thin round girth and measures about 3.5 inches stretched. Initially, I was prepared to order and replace the belt myself, but then thought I might as well replaced the laser that has been working faithfully since the production of the transport. Finally, I wanted to be certain that the laser was aligned properly and the transport's performance was up to snuff. I hope this helps sir.

Bob
An African American audio, classical & jazz music lover. I love all great jazz, classical and folk music. Am also a lover of 1/2 track (15ips) reel to reel tape decks.

 

RE: Never buy a piece of gear without opening it up, posted on April 1, 2010 at 23:00:18
Pingsound
Audiophile

Posts: 25
Location: S. Ontario
Joined: January 4, 2008



I can appreciate your rule Frihed89. I have a AN KIT one and love it. I am soon to be upgrading the easily accessible parts and from the construction and sound from THIS device, expect to keep it to the hearing-aid years (at least).

 

RE: Some years ago (10?) they sold on Audio Advisor for about $220?, posted on April 1, 2010 at 23:21:31
Pingsound
Audiophile

Posts: 25
Location: S. Ontario
Joined: January 4, 2008
 And for those who asked (and those that didn't), the device was good enough to better the Rotel 955 CD player I had back then (as a transport). When I could no longer afford space for the top-loader Parasound, I put in a Marantz 7010 DVD player and lo-and-behold, the sound was maybe a bit better - to put things in perspective. That was a few years ago.

 

RE: Welcome to the high end, posted on April 1, 2010 at 23:43:37
Pingsound
Audiophile

Posts: 25
Location: S. Ontario
Joined: January 4, 2008
 You can read my reply further down.
To me, Parasound doesn't warrant the tag "High End". It seems to me to be a marketing-first, parasite sort of company tagging real 'heralded' companies that advance audio electronics such as Krell, M-L, Ayre, Halcro, Pass, Boulder & Spectral. Parasound does not advance the industry.
This puts them in the company of Rotel & Adcom (are they still around?) in offering products above the mainstream.

 

RE: Welcome to the high end, posted on April 1, 2010 at 23:52:27
Pingsound
Audiophile

Posts: 25
Location: S. Ontario
Joined: January 4, 2008
 MY EXPERIENCE PUTS THEM FURTHER DOWN.

 

So what's spinning the spindle?, posted on April 3, 2010 at 16:16:22
Jonesy
Audiophile

Posts: 3157
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Joined: September 1, 2005
Contributor
  Since: March 1, 2018
 Hi Pingsound,

Sorry to chime in late, but I have been wondering about purchasing a BD2000 when I see them come up for sale time to time because of the belt drive.

As you say, the top disc spins, the bottom spindle sleeve as you point out is solid, so it wasn't direct drive. What was ultimately spinning the top disc? Gears?

Regards,

Jonesy







"I know just enough to get into trouble. But not enough to get out of it."




 

UHF Magazine Issue No.47:, posted on April 3, 2010 at 18:33:31
Jonathan 90
Audiophile

Posts: 155
Location: Toronto
Joined: September 12, 2008
 Can be purchased online with complete review of the Parasound C/BD-2000 transport and D/AC-2000 converter - UHF went as far as making the pair the 'reference' for the mag which in turn replaced the Spectral SDR-1000SL CDP / Counterpoint DA-10A


 

RE: So what's spinning the spindle?, posted on April 4, 2010 at 00:38:04
Werner
Audiophile

Posts: 2123
Joined: September 30, 1999
 Pingsound was entirely wrong with his accusations and then
tried to save his face by declaring it an April joke.

And then you wake up and realise that your classmates of old ... are running most of the TV shows.

 

RE: So what's spinning the spindle?, posted on April 4, 2010 at 13:03:15
Jonesy
Audiophile

Posts: 3157
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Joined: September 1, 2005
Contributor
  Since: March 1, 2018
 I saw that later on but wasn't sure. He was still showing pics posted after "April Fools" joke statement.

Thanks for confirmation.

Sheesh. Welcome to the Asylum.

Happy Easter.

Jonesy


"I know just enough to get into trouble. But not enough to get out of it."




 

RE: UHF Magazine Issue No.47:, posted on April 4, 2010 at 19:21:00
Jonesy
Audiophile

Posts: 3157
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Joined: September 1, 2005
Contributor
  Since: March 1, 2018
 Thanks for the info. I will have to dig through my back issues!

Cheers!

Jonesy


"I know just enough to get into trouble. But not enough to get out of it."




 

RE: PARASOUND C/BD 2000 BELT DRIVE TRANSPORT, posted on April 21, 2010 at 07:29:31
rbw@power800voicemail.com
Audiophile

Posts: 431
Location: Atlanta, Georgia Area
Joined: March 14, 2009
 Good morning all,

I just got my Parasound belt drive transport CD player back from the local shop here last Saturday. So far I am totally satisfied with the repair work. As I stated earlier, I had already purchased from Parasound, a new laser and 2 belts. My plan was to have Parasound do the work but they recommended an audio shop here in Maryland which I was not aware of. I had no idea there was any more real audio repair places here locally. I paid an additional $50 to have my CD player worked on quickly. I took it in for repair last Friday and it was ready the very next day. I had the laser and belt replaced because of the age of this excellent transport. I figured that eventually the laser was going to require replacement.

There is some breaking in that is required. However, the sound is as it was before and that is "Awesome". I am happy to have this instrument back in my system.

Bob
An African American audio, classical & jazz music lover. I love all great jazz, classical and folk music. Am also a lover of 1/2 track (15ips) reel to reel tape decks.

 

RE: PARASOUND C/BD 2000 BELT DRIVE TRANSPORT, posted on April 21, 2010 at 07:39:06
rbw@power800voicemail.com
Audiophile

Posts: 431
Location: Atlanta, Georgia Area
Joined: March 14, 2009
 By the way, does anyone know where I could look for possible upgrades to my Parasound CD transport? I believe this transport can be improved with upgraded parts, etc. HELP AND THANKS ALL.

Bob
An African American audio, classical & jazz music lover. I love all great jazz, classical and folk music. Am also a lover of 1/2 track (15ips) reel to reel tape decks.

 

RE: So what's spinning the spindle?, posted on February 20, 2011 at 00:39:30
Pingsound
Audiophile

Posts: 25
Location: S. Ontario
Joined: January 4, 2008
 What?
Am I being accused of warning others of a HIFI scam? Pictures don't tell the story anymore?
I was just looking back at this old posting and cant believe there are doubters of these facts.
I am trying to warn buyers of choosing components based on advertising and seemingly, build quality of heft. That CD Transport (that I have tossed in trash) was a complete $2000 piece-of-shit deception! MY COST should have been fuel to warn others of big-name manufacturers fucking us right in the face! Don't like this info? - keep up the faith, keep feeding them.

 

RE: So what's spinning the spindle?, posted on February 20, 2011 at 07:41:12
mcroth
Audiophile

Posts: 18
Joined: April 15, 2008
 Sorry to tell you this but the Parasound C/BD-2000 was an excellent transport and still is if you have one that continues to play. You threw away $100-$200. These transports will easily fetch that number in non working order. As far as the belt goes, I could always see mine when I would put a cd into the transport.

 

seek help, posted on February 20, 2011 at 08:58:18
farfetched
Audiophile

Posts: 963
Location: Cleveland!
Joined: October 13, 2010
 .
/ optimally proportioned triangles are our friends


 

RE: So what's spinning the spindle?, posted on February 20, 2011 at 12:18:37
Pingsound
Audiophile

Posts: 25
Location: S. Ontario
Joined: January 4, 2008
 Im not sure what you could be seeing. I took mine completely apart and found no trace of a belt (or rubber for that matter). If a belt broke there should have been debris of one.
All that spins the disc is a conventional direct drive motor with small plastic gearing.
Selling this thing for even $50 would have been unscrupulous.
I only posted this to illustrate how some companies scam consumers and how it was done in this particular case - with PICTURES AS EVIDENCE.
When I see reviews of this thing it makes me sick that someone actually blathers on about it. I put into service a common dvd player when this thing stopped working and it sounded better.

 

RE: So what's spinning the spindle?, posted on February 20, 2011 at 15:35:57
mcroth
Audiophile

Posts: 18
Joined: April 15, 2008
 I can see the belt in your picture.

 

RE: So what's spinning the spindle?, posted on February 20, 2011 at 18:31:44
mcroth
Audiophile

Posts: 18
Joined: April 15, 2008



 

RE: So what's spinning the spindle?, posted on February 20, 2011 at 18:33:59
mcroth
Audiophile

Posts: 18
Joined: April 15, 2008



 

RE: So what's spinning the spindle?, posted on February 20, 2011 at 18:36:33
mcroth
Audiophile

Posts: 18
Joined: April 15, 2008



 

I saw it too, posted on February 20, 2011 at 22:42:45
Werner
Audiophile

Posts: 2123
Joined: September 30, 1999
 But Pingsound ... well ... perhaps he suffers a rare disorder
that makes one blind for belts.


And then you wake up and realise that your classmates of old ... are running most of the TV shows.

 

RE: seek help, posted on February 24, 2011 at 02:07:41
Jonathan 90
Audiophile

Posts: 155
Location: Toronto
Joined: September 12, 2008
 My Parasound C/BD-2000 transport was successfully repaired this past summer in Toronto – indeed it does have a belt and still sounds fabulous with its DAC companion.

 

RE: seek help, posted on February 24, 2011 at 06:10:23
mcroth
Audiophile

Posts: 18
Joined: April 15, 2008
 J90,

Yep, it really is a great transport for its price. I used mine for several years. I still miss it from time to time. Enjoy it!

 

RE: seek help, posted on February 25, 2011 at 15:41:46
farfetched
Audiophile

Posts: 963
Location: Cleveland!
Joined: October 13, 2010
 i posted seek help because, the OP, if you will notice, returned to this thread after almost a year and decided to have a hysterical reaction to it.
/ optimally proportioned triangles are our friends


 

RE: PARASOUND C/BD 2000 BELT DRIVE TRANSPORT, posted on August 15, 2012 at 06:44:05
ForrestC


 
I know that I'm replying to an old thread, but for anyone owning a Parsound CBD-2000 transport you owe it to yourself to change out all the electrolytic cap in the unit.

Most of these transprts were built in the mid 90s and the old baby-blue Rubycons are past end-of-life. I recently re-capped my Parsound CBD-2000 with Elna Slimic II and that alone took it to a level that I quite frankly didn't expect. If you re-cap yours, be carefull with the PCB. The through-hole pads are easliy damaged if you are not careful.

Also, while you are in there, be sure to replace the belt. It's just an SCX 7.0 square-belt used in many old cassette decks. You can find them all day long for abot $5.00 on eBay.

 

Page processed in 0.043 seconds.

[ Top Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]