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Significantly Upped my CD Transport from CDT 6000 to ET3

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Posted on August 19, 2024 at 10:47:55
HiOnFi
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 Ive owned my Audiolab 6000 CDT for ~ 3 years. Great deal as I bought it slightly used for $375, including shipping. MSRP is/was ~ $600, BUT... quality digital transport at a reasonable price came along about 2 years ago, and the reports have been very positive though TMK no one ever did a comparison to the CDT 6000. Amazon offered it at 6 no interest payments, so I finally jumped in. Well, IMHO there is no comparison. I am absolutely floored at the jump in tone, weight, depth, most especially noted on well recorded discs.MSRP $729.00

 

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What DAC are you using and over what interface ?, posted on August 19, 2024 at 13:53:35
AbeCollins
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 just curious



 

RE: What DAC are you using and over what interface ?, posted on August 20, 2024 at 04:50:27
HiOnFi
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 Dac in my Audio Alchemy DDP-1 coax

 

RE: What DAC are you using and over what interface ?, posted on August 20, 2024 at 06:30:19
AbeCollins
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Interesting semi-oldie. I remember Audio Alchemy from the 1990's but if I'm not mistaken the DDP-1 is somewhat recent, relatively speaking. If it has a USB input it might be interesting to try your new transport over USB, or any of the other interfaces just for grins.



 

RE: What DAC are you using and over what interface ?, posted on August 20, 2024 at 08:06:31
HiOnFi
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 Thanks for the tip

It has I2S and USB which looks like optical. but it's not

I only play CDs/DSDs do these both work for them?

 

RE: What DAC are you using and over what interface ?, posted on August 20, 2024 at 08:53:12
HiOnFi
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 Oh, DDP-1 was reviewed in TAS RH March 2016

I am using their coax will order this

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804181799808.html?spm=a2g0o.tm1000012970.d0.1.1a2b135ewtabad&pvid=2213d47f-b206-4464-97bf-044f765368b2&pdp_ext_f=%7B"ship_from"%3A""%2C"sku_id"%3A"12000029809697812"%7D&scm=1007.25281.317569.0&scm-url=1007.25281.317569.0&scm_id=1007.25281.317569.0&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%21US%20%2492.00%21US%20%2476.36%21%21%2192.00%2176.36%21%402103245417241687262108910e9308%2112000029809697812%21gdf%21US%21128321401%21X&aecmd=true&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

 

RE: What DAC are you using and over what interface ?, posted on August 20, 2024 at 09:08:14
HiOnFi
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 Im so glad for your USB suggestion. I reread the TAS review and spotted this "The USB input accepts PCM up to 216kHz/32-bit along with DSD64"

Very interesting in that the ET3 Display was not locking up on my MoFi hybrid DSD/SACD CDs

Fingers crossed it will sound even better, at least on those discs

 

RE: What DAC are you using and over what interface ?, posted on August 20, 2024 at 10:04:53
AbeCollins
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 You should be able to find several good USB 2.0 cables on Amazon w/o resorting to megabuck audiophile approved brands. Just my humble opinion but any good quality USB 2.0 cable should do. Good luck!



 

RE: What DAC are you using and over what interface ?, posted on August 20, 2024 at 10:47:07
HiOnFi
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 Took your advice

Thanks again

 

RE: What DAC are you using and over what interface ?, posted on August 21, 2024 at 21:18:08
Jonesy
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 The Shanling does not read SACD discs. Only Red Book. It can however read DSD files off of a separate drive.

Not many reviews comparing the CDT6000 vs ET-3. Some say night and day as you are experiencing. Others say they are very similar. Depends on Dac and cables. Sounds like the ET-3 is a good fit for your taste/set-up.

CDT6000 definitely benefits from mods from those that like to tinker.

Jonesy


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




 

RE: What DAC are you using and over what interface ?, posted on August 22, 2024 at 05:12:09
HiOnFi
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 I bought a USB cable to read the DSD layers of hybrid CDs but it is not locking/syncing up with my Audio Alchemy DDP-1. I contacted AA but he has no idea, thinking it might be the USB input on the ET 3

According to TAS review of the DDP-1, USB is superior to Coax. I am going to contact the seller about it as it was sold as USED

 

RE: What DAC are you using and over what interface ?, posted on August 22, 2024 at 06:00:55
HiOnFi
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 I know it doesn't play SACDs, but the MoFi SACDs have a DSD layer, and that is what I am hoping to access with a USB cable. Problem is- the USB able I bought is not syncing up, and I have no way to test it. I bought this ET3 as a return, and the USB issue may be why it was returned. I sent the seller an email. I definitely want it or replacement

What do you mean by separate drives?

 

RE: What DAC are you using and over what interface ?, posted on August 22, 2024 at 06:28:40
Jonesy
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 It's not the USB cable. The optical drive in the ET-3 cannot read SACD discs or the hybrid layer of SACD/CD discs.

Jonesy


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




 

RE: What DAC are you using and over what interface ?, posted on August 22, 2024 at 06:49:40
HiOnFi
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Location: Florida
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 Hmmmmmm Mind Blown

So what is the USB needed for, or does it have to do with external devices?

 

RE: What DAC are you using and over what interface ?, posted on August 22, 2024 at 07:04:41
Jonesy
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 The DSD layer is in "pit" form on SACD or hybrid discs. ET-3 optical drive cannot read that.

But as an option the ET-3 can process DSD "files" from a storage device like a hardrive or USB memory stick that connects to the ET-3 and can be routed to your dac. The idea being that you can listen to Red Book CD's or DSD (and other digital audio "files") from one convenient component. The latest Audiolab models also have these features.

Edit: The DSD files referred to are downloaded. If you want to listen to your SACD/Hybrid layers you need a different player or find a way to extract the information off those layers and convert into a playable file format. I have no experience with this but it has come up in some recent threads on this forum. Some interesting reading.

Jonesy


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




 

RE: What DAC are you using and over what interface ?, posted on August 22, 2024 at 07:18:19
HiOnFi
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Location: Florida
Joined: January 11, 2004
 OK, thanks for the tutorial!!!!!!! Crap, I ordered a $92 USB cable from Ali-E and it's on its way

 

RE: What DAC are you using and over what interface ?, posted on August 22, 2024 at 07:40:32
Jonesy
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 USB cable may not solve the DSD reading issue but may come in handy at some point. (Edit: and of course you can still give it a whirl to see how it sounds.)

I added an edit to my previous post that there are recent discussions on this forum on ways to extract the DSD layer from your SACD's into file formats that can be copied onto storage devices for playback. That would take advantage of the ET-3 additional process features other than just reading discs.

Jonesy

Edit: I can't keep up and now editing my edits LOL!


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




 

RE: What DAC are you using and over what interface ?, posted on August 22, 2024 at 08:03:32
AbeCollins
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Does USB on the ET3 work at all for driving your outboard DAC? Perhaps while playing a standard redbook CD?

According to advertising on Amazon they emphasize using the USB port with an outboard Hard Disk Drive and various file types:



 

RE: What DAC are you using and over what interface ?, posted on August 22, 2024 at 10:23:21
HiOnFi
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 THANKS. I was very mistaken about how to use the USB

 

RE: What DAC are you using and over what interface ?, posted on August 22, 2024 at 10:24:40
HiOnFi
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 Thanks. I think Ive got it now

 

Inmate Kal Rubinson detailed the process, posted on August 22, 2024 at 11:26:57
E-Stat
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 here at Stereophile.

Note that most SACD topics are found on the "Hi-Rez" forum next door. Search "ripping SACD" and you'll find other responses. What you get is an ISO file.

 

RE: What DAC are you using and over what interface ?, posted on August 22, 2024 at 12:23:19
Jonesy
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 I forgot to mention the SACD layer is made from DSD64. That's why the DSD reference on your mofi discs.

Jonesy



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




 

RE: Inmate Kal Rubinson detailed the process, posted on August 22, 2024 at 16:39:06
HiOnFi
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 Thanks Kal. These guys set me straight

 

ET3 source, posted on August 25, 2024 at 16:27:53
psgary
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Location: So. California
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 Thanks for the recommendation. There seem to be few choices of quality transports below $1K, so the Shanling looks like a good option, a step up from the Cambridge CXC v2 or the Audiolab 6000CDT.

It looks as if there are no U.S. dealers, so it has to be obtained overseas. Does anyone know a dealer here in the States?

 

RE: ET3 source, posted on August 26, 2024 at 04:59:36
HiOnFi
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Posts: 1703
Location: Florida
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 I bought mine on Amazon

The more I play disks the happier I am

 

RE: Significantly Upped my CD Transport from CDT 6000 to ET3, posted on August 26, 2024 at 07:22:31
HiOnFi
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Posts: 1703
Location: Florida
Joined: January 11, 2004
 Just a quick update: Many thanks to the fellow 'phles who helped me through my misconception about using the ET3 to play DSD via the USB

That aside, over the weekend it seemed to have reached a new level of musicality. MoFi Carly Simon blew my mind followed by Roger Waters Amused to Death (I had no idea my Emerald Physics 3.4s could swing so much bass) this morning I spun YoYo Ma's Appalachian Journey which filled my large room with a huge 3D holographic presence

Mind blowing to know such digital playback value is available for $729, Oh and my Audio Alchemy DDP-1 dac/pre is a huge part of this. Do a search for the TAS review. They come up rarely at terrific prices HTH

 

Aoshida Audio-US, posted on August 26, 2024 at 12:19:02
psgary
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Posts: 8142
Location: So. California
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 The source for the ET3 on Amazon is Aoshida Audio-US. Research shows that the company is headquartered in China. Aoshida also offers the Shanling on eBay and has a 100% satisfaction rating.

So far the only sources for the ET3 I've found are Chinese. If there are no U.S. sources, obviously the unit has to be purchased overseas. I just like to get things here in the U.S. if possible.

Your enthusiasm has really peaked my interest.

Again, thanks for your endorsement.

 

RE: Aoshida Audio-US, posted on August 26, 2024 at 17:58:10
HiOnFi
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 I remain blown away

 

CD Transport Rabbit Hole, posted on August 27, 2024 at 11:58:34
creativepart
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Posts: 1906
Location: Spring Branch, Texas
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 In 2023 I went down a serious CD Transport rabbit hole.

I was using a Onkyo 7030 CD player as a transport and it was so boring that I really stopped playing CDs. I know the 7030 is very popular on the 'net but I have no idea why.

Then I read about CD Transports and it piqued my curiosity. As sometimes happens, the very next day I saw an ad on A'gon for a Cambridge Audio CXC transport being sold locally. The seller was happy to not have to ship his CDT and sold it to me at a Starbucks parking lot for $275. Score!

I was blown away with the improved sound. I went up to the attic and brought down 250 of the 800 CDs I had boxed up a few years earlier (when I finished ripping them to FLAC).

That got me wondering about other Transports and I bought an Audiolab 6000CDT for $300 on A'gon. Nice! I liked it better than the CXC.

I quickly followed this up with a $2,200 purchase of a Jay's Audio CDT2 MK3. Wow that was a leap. Yet still better sounding.

As I progressed, I sold all the gear as I bought more used items. And, I realized that I didn't really need that good of a CD Transport and easily sold the Jay's for what I paid for it.

I then bought the, then new, Shanling ET-3. I liked that it was top loading like the Jay's and that it had a full compliment of outputs.

I've tried all of the outputs and have settled on the I2S output to my Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE DAC. It's pretty good, is it better than the others? Certainly not the Jay's, but for $700 and change it's good enough to stay put in my system.

PS. I do not use ANY of the streaming features and have never experimented with them at all.

 

CD Transports are a Crapshoot............., posted on August 27, 2024 at 22:05:44
Todd Krieger
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 I've owned cheap transports that sounded great (Philips CDC935 changer, JVC XL-Z1050)..... I've owned expensive transports that sounded "meh" (CEC TL-2, Museatex, and others).......

I'd suggest go to eBay, get a Philips CDC935 in good shape.... (These players are readily available... But be sure it's a CDC935, not one of the variants that look almost identical to it.... A CDC936 sounds poor by comparison, other variants lack a digital out.) If you prefer coax for your digital cable, you can go straight to the DAC. If you prefer optical, get an Audio Technica AT-HDSL1 digital audio converter on eBay as well. (I go CDC935 -> AT converter -> Gustard X26 Pro DAC as one of my main system sources, to great effect.)

If you like the sound, you're set. If you don't like the sound, you can re-sell the player and converter, and lose on mostly shipping costs. (A player in good shape will last at least five years, if not more. These players still have replacement parts available to keep running indefinitely.)

I realize this is a CD changer, but this unit shatters the notion that great sounding CD transports must be expensive single-disc units that are built like a Sherman tank....... I've been using these Philips players for 15 years, and don't expect any changes in the foreseeable future.

 

RE: Significantly Upped my CD Transport from CDT 6000 to ET3, posted on September 2, 2024 at 09:35:24
HiOnFi
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 Be still my beating heart Shanling upped the anti for anyone also wanting to play both layers of SACDs and only $500 more than the ET3. Ill be looking for reviews https://weibo.com/tv/show/1034:4993707573968908?from=old_pc_videoshow

 

Shanling SCD 1.3, posted on September 2, 2024 at 16:21:37
Jonesy
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 That's a nice looking unit. It's a streaming/media player vs transport only.

It will play either SACD or CD layer using it's internal dac. Reviews you browse will tell you how it sounds as an all-in-one player.

Looks like you would be able to use your Audio Alchemy Dac for the CD layer if you preferred. The Shanling 1.3 has a digital output for red book CD.

But there is no digital output for the SACD layer without work arounds mentioned already. (Issue being the SACD layer is created with DSD. Converting the optical layer back to DSD readable format by your AA Dac not straight forward.)

Cheers!

Jonesy

Cheers!

Jonesy


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




 

RE: Shanling SCD 1.3, posted on September 3, 2024 at 13:58:05
HiOnFi
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Posts: 1703
Location: Florida
Joined: January 11, 2004
 Thanks for your 411

 

Dual Layer Transports with Digital Out, posted on September 4, 2024 at 16:01:54
Jonesy
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Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
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  Since: March 1, 2018
 There are a couple out there I am aware of. PS Audio Perfect Wave I have read good things about. Just came across one from McIntosh now while Googling but looks like it can only be used with one of their Dacs. Both quite a bit more expensive than the Shanling though.

Perhaps with the current upswing in the disc format we will see more economical options down the road.



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




 

RE: Significantly Upped my CD Transport from CDT 6000 to ET3, posted on September 9, 2024 at 17:24:28
Leo loves music
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 Can someone please explain why this thing sounds better than an Audiolab, a Cambridge or even a Schiit Urd, a PS audio memory player?

I am interested. But I have too many CD transports and CD players. I don't want to waste my money to buy another so so product. In which area it sounds better?

 

RE: Significantly Upped my CD Transport from CDT 6000 to ET3, posted on September 10, 2024 at 04:26:16
HiOnFi
Audiophile

Posts: 1703
Location: Florida
Joined: January 11, 2004
 Crushed my CDT 6000 in every way imaginable- solid images properly spaced across the stage, much better depth and width, brought out here-to-for missing bass

Look for a sealer who offers free return policy though I seriously doubt you will return it

HTH

 

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