Eyeopener! CD Transport vs. CD Player - Pro-ject CD BOX RS2T Review!

[@FireMunki63]

AND you can get the Project external power supply too for a further sound upgrade! Nice realistic review, I'm impressed.

[@chewy560]

Excellent review. Nice to hear good and the not so good.

[@martinslocombe2288]

I`m very happy with my Pro-ject cd BoxRS2t i`m glad someone else has discovered its merits as a cd playback device .The compromises in other departments is perhaps understandable as the transport alone is very expensive and normally used in cd players costing £15k so £2250 represents good value per £ spent .

[@detlefgrooss5649]

I totaloy agree. Its a Porsche-motor in a small box😅. I highly recommend to use it with the Pro-Ject Unify 1 way power supply and Connect-it shielded cables. This brings the machine to a next level in every regard. due to its light and rigid cabinet, it also benefits from adding damping and weight. its easy to try by putting f.e. a heavy book on top

[@kunsliu]

okay, i hold my project to upgrade my nuprime cdt 9 to this tin box.

[@stephenc2738]

The Project Transport and Project Player have no internal power supply, while saving a lot of interior space and weight, the downside is it uses a cheap Wal-Mart transformer/supply. These mass-produced supplies often drift from their specified voltage output versus a well-designed, regulated, internal power supply. It’s overpriced.

[@TheLeicam81]

I’m about a week into breaking in my RS2-T. So far very happy with it. I noticed that the current lid has been completely redesigned with lots of new bracing. I have the player sitting on four Fern & Roby Large Isolation Feet. This provides player a solid foundation and isolation. I’m waiting the ordered LTA Linear Power Supply (Three weeks to hand build and a week to burn in and sound test). I have also ordered a Transparent Cable Reference digital cable. This transport with all the mods ends up CAD$8,500 and fits in nicely in my Goldmund Audio system and compliments my Aurender content server ACS10 and transport N20. And I actually really like its minimalist design and styling. Thanks for the review.

[@stjernholmreviews]

@TheLeicam81 Great comment! Thank you for the update.

[@Krell666]

Such a pity that aesthetics, build quality and display graphics are so bad.

[@stjernholmreviews]

yes. At the pricepoint you would expect better feel and GUI. It takes away some of the joy of ownership and daily use.

[@patbarr1351]

That was quite interesting! I must admit that I'm normally too occupied listening to music to do such comparisons, but I did purchase a Pro-Ject CD Box RS during the lockdown days (the predecessor to your tested model & priced at $1,100 USD). It has been quite enjoyable connected to my Chord Mojo. I normally keep it in oversampling mode (I don't know if the RS 2T has that option) because it makes a small but noticeable difference that I hear as a bit more airy though less "weighty." Thanks.

[@d.hoffmann7698]

Very interesting topic indeed. I wonder if a cd ripped to a wav file with exact audio copy will match the performance of the pro-ject cd transport. I also thought that perhaps the age of the Marantz cd player had an influence on its performance. I once had an old Denon player that had some sort of noise in the digital coax output. I definitely had the same presumption as you, that digital data is digital data.

[@stjernholmreviews]

Glad you liked it Mr Hoffman. Thank you for following the channel. Yes, it is interesting. When it comes to ripped files... I find a notisable difference based on HOW they are played. e.g From a mediaserver over the network to the DAC OR stored locally on the DAC... same dac, same data, two different data delivery methods. It kind of confirms to me, that the delivery matters quite a bit. I will investigate and play with it more, and conduct some blind listening tests on this later this year, while trying to demystify the thing! 🙂 Did you listen to the little sound snippets from our session?

[@tellthemborissentyou]

It looks like a High School project.

[@stjernholmreviews]

;-D Yes, they spent all the money on the mechanism it seems....

[@JohanDee]

You were ahead of me, so ugly! 😮 What old school used cd players with dig. out would be usable as a transport. I have seen nice old Technics, Pioneers, Sony's, etc. available for mostly a few hundred bucks at the most? I would not buy this ugly thing for € 500...

[@martymcfly3837]

This is a joke for this money...

[@stjernholmreviews]

Well.. it depends on how you view it. If you are after the mechanism, I dont think it is avaliable any cheaper in any product, or am I wrong?

[@martymcfly3837]

@@stjernholmreviews You are probably right, if you only look at a good sound and a good CD mechanism. I am just of the opinion that in this price range, a pure transport should at least be made with more love. The eye definitely listens. Especially when there are devices like the Teac 701 vrds for the price. But everything is subjective. I just want to congratulate you on this great channel, it's very informative and entertaining, just like in this video. Greetings

[@stjernholmreviews]

@@martymcfly3837 Marty, much appreciated. I second the opinion. If you put a gold-nugget in a turd, it will never be as appealing as it could be. Here the balance is off. 🙂 I would really like to review those teac products, but their european distribution partner are hopeless.

[@sandroberio7854]

Dear MartyMCFly, I've written the same thing, but I can't find my opinion anymore.

[@elmerseiscientos]

I use a $30 Woopker DVD player as a transporter and I'm lucky enough to not notice any difference with a $400 CD player. 😁I don't know what the zeros and ones that come out through those $3,000 machines are like, but I doubt they're worth the price difference. And if they're worth it, I'll preferably move on to streaming.

[@dennishill290]

Yamaha.... !

[@connorduke4619]

No surprises to me that a separate transport and Dac easily beat an integrated CD player. However if you want build quality, excellent ergonomics, good isolation, advanced graphics, built-in power supply and all at a lower price, the Audiolab 9000CDT (which I own) beats the Project senseless.

[@stjernholmreviews]

I have not tried the Audiolab. The pro-ject is all about that mechanism i think. Is there a cheaper way to that mechanism?

[@connorduke4619]

@@stjernholmreviews For a top loading mechanism I would go the Jay's CDT2, for tray loading the Audiolab 9000CDT. The Project seems too much of a basket case of build quality and ergonomic issues for me.

[@stjernholmreviews]

@@connorduke4619 Does that feature the StreamUnlimited CD-Pro 8 drive mechanism?

[@connorduke4619]

@@stjernholmreviews Not that one but a famous new old stock Philips CDM-4 mechanism with a curved laser reader which is supposed to be the best one ever made.

[@zorqis]

@@connorduke4619 just to confirm: you refer to the Audiolab 9000CDT to have a "new old stock Philips CDM-4"? That would make it very interesting... But others say it has a standard Teac drive. By the pictures it doesn't look like a swingarm mechanism like the CDM-4.

[@michaelwright1602]

I look at the price here in the US vs the construction of this thing... Sound or no sound, that in itself is disappointing. Maybe $999? But over 3x that price? What are they thinking? I do not even know where I would put something like this. Too many cons.

[@razisn]

The CD driver is expensive, as used in some very high end transports. Where did you get the 999 price from? Why not 499 or 1999 or 3999? Btw US prices for EU made things are always inflated. The same for US devices in Europe. Blame taxes and shipping costs. People moaning about pricing get on my nerves. You can't afford it or you feel it is not worth it relative to your disposable income or your perceived competition in your particular market, just don't buy it. Your case is most probably irrelevant to virtually everyone else's.

[@xahdiel8292]

Cheap quality.

[@stjernholmreviews]

@@razisn I agree a long part of the way here. We don't know what the cost of such drive actually are. They are not made at huge scale either due to the decline in demand. It could very well be, that this particular machine is the cheapest option out there with that mechanism, so the value for the buyer is determined on how much that is appreciated, like with so many other things, right?

[@michaelwright1602]

I am moaning about nothing. I am looking at a goofy little piece of gear that here in the states is priced at $3200. I don’t care where the hell it is from, the price to value is not something I see here. It looks CHEAP and incredibly FRAGILE! What is PJ thinking? And I can’t afford it? Why the HELL would I buy it? If I was in the market for a new CD transport there are plenty out there of much better build quality with great sound that would actually fit in my rack, and not look like a cheap audio toy I would purchase at the local Walmart. Some of you clowns are just insufferable.

[@michaelwright1602]

@@stjernholmreviews Here in the States, $3200? Does this unit, more like a toy, justify the cost? Serious question. A few hundred bucks, maybe up to a grand if it really performs... But, $3200, are they serious? I paid less for my car, and my Venus II 12tth DAC. Well, the Venus did cost more than my car, but both are delivering in spades. Cheap car, $400 yearly insurance... It is nice to be able to pay cash for some nice gear... The Denafrips Athena will be here next Monday. ;-) Nice being solvent with no debt.

[@QuentinBargate]

I discovered just how important a good CD transport was in 1989 when I auditioned and then purchased a Wadia CD transport with external power supply based on a Teac 2 box player, for use with a Wadia Digimaster high end DAC. Long time ago, but it’s a lesson I have never forgotten.

[@r423sdex]

They measured them on ASR. Very poor. Remember it goes like this 110001100100001110101010.

[@parfridberg]

Fine review! I now have the RS2 T in my system together with Lyngdorf TDAI 3400. I use AES/EBU to connect to the Lyngdorf. It’s no doubt that this transport is superior over my Oppo BD-203. To be honest I didn’t think it would be any difference between the two units but there is no competition. The Oppo has spdif out and RS2 T AES/EBU. Maybe some differences there? I was lucky to buy it for 32% off here in Sweden.

[@stjernholmreviews]

Par, try comparing the two using coax (can be connected at the same time) and make sure that both inputs are totally clean (no voicing preset attached to either). We could not detect any difference using AES or COAX out to the 3400. What KIND of difference do you hear between the transport and the Oppo?

[@parfridberg]

@@stjernholmreviews Hello, When I have time I maybe will compare the two with spdif but even if there are differences (or not) I am satisfied with the sound from the RS2 T with AES/EBU. It took me one second to hear difference against the Oppo. My first impression was the timbre and a bigger stage sound, both left, right and three dimensional. After a while when listening to a whole CD I can say that the bass response are quicker and more refined. More space in the soundscape and more transparency. I can now hear things in the records that I never have heard before. It's maybe a cliché but every CD I listen to it's a new experience. When I switched back to the Oppo it sounded a bit boring, dull. I have the RS2 T as an open purchase for two weeks so I can listen carefully but I will keep it. I have read that there are more improves to make with better power supply. Maybe in the future Lyngdorf will make an add on with I2S? My speakers are Dynaudio Heritage Special with a Dynaudio Sub6 subwoofer.

[@TheLeicam81]

Hi. Im glad to hear of your positive experience with the RS2-T. Mine arrives tomorrow. I had grown a bit concerned with QC issues some had experienced. I’m hoping it’s solid as a rock re: reliability. I plan to connect it via AES/EBU, replace the switching power supply with LTA linear power supply and have the transport sitting on Fern & Roby isolation feet.

[@JingoLoBa57]

Very high expectations for €2500? Sure Walmart has $30 disc spinners, but Esoteric Gryphon and others deliver much more performance as expected. Why did you keep it with so many bugbears…😂

[@alanvanderhaegen4936]

I had the CD Box S3. I got sooo frustrated with it that I threw it in the garbage not thinking it would be fair to sell it on Bay. It kept either not reading discs or just randomly skipping. Took it back to the hi-fi store who told me there was nothing wrong with it and couldn't replicate the problems I had with it. Expensive mistake. Unfortunately I had already sold my Audiolab 3000 CDT which never failed. Still looking for a replacement. Cheers, Al

[@stjernholmreviews]

Did you use burned media with it? Thank you for watching!

[@alanvanderhaegen4936]

@@stjernholmreviews No, just CD's I had and new ones. Bloody frustrated the hell out of me. Cheers pall, Al

[@stjernholmreviews]

@@alanvanderhaegen4936 Al, your comment was flagged by youtube for review! I cant tell why they would do that? I just approved it.

[@audiovalhalla]

Agreed, had one and crapped out after a month. 2nd on was not much better with many music drop outs and it WAY to loud just spinning discs. Everyone raved about and I got caught in the wave of bullshat. Traded it in for a SimAudio Moon 260dt and I'm much happier and feel like I got my money's worth. Bonus, a 10year warranty. Another option is the well built Shitt Urd. Word to the wise...avoid this over priced garbage. Cheers

[@alanvanderhaegen4936]

@@audiovalhalla Good to know it's not just me. Cheers mate

[@AEFisch]

You have no explanation for both simply sending the same DATA. Not music. Coax is probably not as reliable as usb, optical or hdmi which do error correction. All you have to do is think when you used a CD to install a computer program where a single error would corrupt your excel program. This assumes the same DAC of course. I can send 100x the speed of data over the same link with zero error. And for that $, they should put in a TOP DAC, so you can choose it or another.

[@justinparkman3585]

The separate rega dac is apparently the same dac what's in the Saturn r when an Audiolab 6000cdt transport is connected to the rega dac it's nowhere as good as the Saturn r with its own dac there's more to the Saturn r than just it's transport .

[@roberthart9886]

Just came across this review today. Of late too many buyers have noted significant QC problems. IMO all kit benefits from well designed iso devices. The recently introduced Shanling et3 with I2S @ $729 is a great buy. Excellent reviews

[@roberthart9886]

Just came across this today. Thanks for the in depth exposure of the RS2s weaknesses. All my kit is on quality iso devices, as for the hollow lid, I imagine one could fit something in it to add heft. Too many people have complained about QC, FF and Shanling now has a very competent ET3 transport (including I2S) is only $729 . lots of vg reviews

[@ruudduppen]

Thanks for this review. It was something I was wondering for some time, whether all CD players sound the same through digital out. I feel the same about the look and feel of the Pro-ject CD box.

[@keithlevkoff8579]

I'm not exactly surprised... but I see more questions than answers... If the two players are both delivering a bit perfect output, then the bits ARE the same... (This could be confirmed by actually comparing the digital output signals.) (It's possible that one of the players is altering the bits in a way that, while technically incorrect, "sounds good"... perhaps by upsampling it.) The only other possible conclusion, if the data itself is accurate on both, is that one has more jitter than the other. The catch there is that some DACs are far more sensitive to jitter than others. (And, even worse, some DACs may be more sensitive to specific frequencies or types of jitter than others.) (Technically an "ideal" DAC should be immune to jitter - but we cannot assume this to be the case.) (The only option would be to do the comparison with multiple DACs... or to use an extra device to "remove jitter" between the transport than the DAC.) Otherwise, while a transport with lower jitter would indeed be "technically superior", whether it makes a difference or not would also depend on the DAC used.

[@stjernholmreviews]

The level of jitter and the read quality / error correction is playing a role too. It was interesting to actually confirm that there is a difference.

[@sav7568]

The trouble with most CD players is that their built in DACs use ancient technology. The advancement in DACs through 2022 - 3 has been absolutely enormous but the CD players all use old DACs because they are cheaper.

[@stjernholmreviews]

I am not totally in agreement on that one for CD. Remember, that all those advances are really not for 44.1 Khz 16 bit. The digital filter options for example. Subjectively, do not prefer most fancy dacs with upsampling and what not on CD. it just does not sound right to me.

[@carminedesanto6746]

Great review and very informative. I’m still running a Denon 3520 cd 💿 player ..THE BEAST from 1990 ..and its on its 3rd external DAC 😂 Transport/ Streamer ( Wiim Pro) all feed a DAC (Topping E50) . Yes, it’s ones and zeros..but there’s always something new to learn. Great review 👍🍕☕️

[@stjernholmreviews]

Have fun!

[@michaelj.4187]

sending love and peace to everyone...

[@stjernholmreviews]

Right back at ya!

[@michaelbooth6007]

I was looking to buy one of these and returned it as it wouldn't track some CD's and skipped.

[@stjernholmreviews]

Thank you for sharing. I saw issues like that as well on a few discs, and also had a issue loading a certain disk.

[@detlefgrooss5649]

Hi! Thank you for this review! I own a RS2T myself. I highly recommend to use it with the better power-supply (Unify 1 way) and the shielded cables (connect it) to connect with it. That brings the thing to a total different league by comparatively small costs. the difference in sound quality in any regard ( stage, dynamic, clarity, colour, fulness of sound, separation) is huge!!

[@stjernholmreviews]

Would you be willing to listen in a blind test on camera? Shoot me a mail!

[@detlefgrooss5649]

@@stjernholmreviews I would do this immediatly, without hesitating. I could tell the difference blindfolded, (given a system, that can reproduce it clearly...)as I am a professional musician, and know, how instruments sound in reality. How could we do this, I live in Germany...

[@detlefgrooss5649]

@@stjernholmreviews by the way: if you use the Dacbox RS 2 and connect via a decent HDMI I2S, It gets a really outstanding sound. This is an incredibly good source! And the DACBOX sounds much better than the PREBOX by the way. If you add some weight and damping to the CDBOX, f.e. by putting a heavy book on top, you gain even more purity and substance. Im my System (ATC SCM 40, Ensemble ECCO) this combi beats by far a Rega P8 with Ania pro with Trigon Vanguard III with Volcano power supply.

[@zzt231gr]

Your review is excellent!Bravo!

[@r423sdex]

So one sounds different, one must be defective. It goes like this 100011010001111100111. Your imagination was definitely running wild.

[@stjernholmreviews]

Yes! that was also my prejudice told me at first. But then we started listening. I think I am better than most not to imagine things, after listening for 40 years, 30 of them professionally? Go listen for yourself.

[@AEFisch]

You have no explanation for both simply sending the same DATA. Not music. Coax is probably not as reliable as usb, optical or hdmi which do error correction. All you have to do is think when you used a CD to install a computer program where a single error would corrupt your excel program. This assumes the same DAC of course.

[@topgun3217]

Any idea how this CD Transport compares with the CEC TL5 or TL2N ??

[@stjernholmreviews]

No. Go get them and just listen.

[@jero1836]

In the file are different snippets, thats no good. both snippets need to be same, played after another.

[@stjernholmreviews]

That you hear is how it was heard at the session. This way, you are blind testing yourself. They are always A/B A/B A/B.

[@memania-]

So you expected 1cm thick solid aluminium lid? 😂

[@stjernholmreviews]

Yes. Overall, a higher-end feel at the price point.

[@razisn]

AFAIK the I2S port is not compatible with anything other than the matching Pro-Ject DAC. With regards to the perceived SQ differences, the only rational explanation has to be jitter and/or electrical noise carried on the coaxial connection. I wonder if a different DAC supporting SPDIF reclocking might alleviate this difference. I don't know if the dac used supports that. Regarding the potential for noise, a DAC providing good galvanic isolation on its coaxial input might have an affect on this. Alternatively might there be other cheaper CD transports or players that produce less jitter or noise? I'm afraid only objective measurements can show and prove all this.Btw you could have tried comparing the optical outputs to see if there was a difference. Jitter may or may not have been higher but electrical noise should by definition not be there. Nice review but I can't help feeling it was sort of incomplete.

[@stjernholmreviews]

What?? In that case, they should not call it a i2S port, right? Thanks for commenting!

[@stjernholmreviews]

With you adding to the conversation, it is 😊! And thank you lord for that. Your points are great, and something worth trying. We did try the aes/ebu vs the coax on the RS2T, with no detectable difference, though. Thank you for inspiring a round two😊! THIS AINT OVER UNTIL IS OVER!

[@razisn]

@@stjernholmreviews I believe the incompatibility stems from the clock frequency used. So it is I2S but not compatible with other devices.

[@wladers39]

​@@razisn Afsik, it's due to different pin layout within the HDMI configuration

[@razisn]

@@wladers39 No, it is due to non standard clock frequency that is why even dacs which support pin reconfiguration cannot be used.

[@3Schneewittchen]

I paired my RS2 T with a NOS DAC and it sounds absolutely amazing. Before that I had tested a cheaper CD transport in an absolutely identical environment and the difference in sound was immense.

[@sandroberio7854]

Lieber @3Schneewitchen Very very unusual, blind tests reveal that no difference can be heard between transports, CD players, or DACs or amplifiers with solid state output stages. Try to do a blind test instead, but with the help of some friends, You must learn how they should be performed, before. Actually, in case of transports its rather easy. MgG Sandro

[@stjernholmreviews]

Thanks for sharing

[@stjernholmreviews]

@@sandroberio7854 Dude, DID YOU WATCH THE VIDEO?? 😄

[@sandroberio7854]

@@stjernholmreviews My dear, I did: first of all, the Project Box is kind of a toy, I'd prefer a CD/DVD/Blu-Ray player instead; second, according to the description, there is no evidence that the test is or is not a proper double-blind one, as usually happens on you tube. On the web instead you can find a bunch of good ones, for instance in "Audio Science Review" and in "Matrix Hi-Fi" ("pruebas ciegas"). Shouldn't you understand Spanish (even difficult for me), I'd be glad to translate something into English or German 4 U. My Best Regards 🙂

[@stjernholmreviews]

​@@sandroberio7854 You know, as much as I respect other people's opinions, I dont respect statements like you just made, as you are just leaving out any substance! Thats not what this channel is about. "XXX is a toy!" ... ehh..? Why? What makes it a "toy"? What qualifies it as a "toy"? and is a "toy" a good or a bad thing to start with? Have you owned one? Then you go on about the blind test. What is not blind in the scenario? We dont now what is playing. We play two identical copies of the media, and we have near seemless switching between the units. I would say that qualifies to a very close to real life scenario, and as good as it gets on a home HIFI system. JUST LISTENING. Here again, to make your statements any kind of useful to the community, you should explain why you think the simple way of blind testing is wrong. We clearly had a result, and it was even documented in the form of a high res recording, giving others an idea of how much, hearing two different sonic profiles. Without substance and context, comments like that are just a waste of time, so please make it worthwhile to others, when you comment on my channel, I am sure you have a lot to give. 🙂👌

[@pixym]

Hi, Is this CD device a late april fool ?

[@stjernholmreviews]

Haha,. no, not at all. It is a very expensive mechanism used that moves the price. I actually believe that this is the cheapest you can get to that mechanism to be honest! Do you know of any products that are cheaper using it?

[@radry100]

The only scientific way to settle this debate is to capture the raw digital data and comparing it on a pc. Listening to the result is just a subjectic and biased way. The difference you heard could well be because of the cables or connectors. Did you try switching the devices between them? I don't think you did.

[@stjernholmreviews]

The only thing that matters to me, is how the music coming out makes YOU FEEL. Music is not about numbers to me, and I only use measurements when I cant solve a problem by ear. Set up a A/B/C test and just listen. We used identical coaxial cables and the same lyngdorf DAC + a Placebo input using the AES/EBU output. So three "sources" to switch between. Its not like there is a change in timbre, tonality, volume or anything like that. But there is a change in calmness and how real the sound felt. It was pretty convincing and picked up and identified by us both.... by ear.. It might be different on another system, other speakers, another room and so on. So feel free to do your own listening test, or see if you can feel the difference in the recording.

[@Groningenlegends]

There isn't any debate. Just use your ears, or shut up.

[@alexandermikhailov2481]

"Mature and relaxed" - that's the way to describe audio properties. Followed by "harmonious and round"... Stop it! You are cracking me up! 😂 A superb piece of stand-up comedy, love it!

[@henriksrensen3220]

A better cd transport is cec TL5 belt drive. I love mine

[@stjernholmreviews]

Hi Henrik. On this channel, a statement like that should always be elaborated on 😉. Have you tried to compare them yourself? WHY do you think the TL5 is better? In what areas? You get the point. The statement is useless without context. Give context. We have time.

[@sandroberio7854]

YOU HAVE REMOVED MY PREVIOUS OBSERVATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As YOU fully described, the Project Box is unstable when someone presses a button and moves on the surface, to open the lid two hands are needed, playback skips very easily for vibrations, You said "maybe it lacks a buffer" (no buffer in the year of God 2023?????), a disturbing high frequency noise, a cheap remote...euro 2.500 !!!????!! Your blind test is full of flaws, I have taken tracks but I' m not going to write 'cause everything will be soon erased. AND THE FUNNIEST THING IS THAT MY OPINION WAS REQUESTED, I DIDN' T LEAVE IT SPONTANEOUSLY.

[@stjernholmreviews]

Ok, now it is getting weird, sandroberio 😀. I hear a lot of repeating what was in the video. You made it your own opinion, thats what is wrong with it. In regards to your claims about a flawed blindtest, you have still to make one meaningful thing to add, that I can learn something from. If you had a comment deleted (I dont do that, by the way) it would only be if it was a 100% useless comment (those without any substance or shared experience, that is only about someone wanting their hateful opinion out, that is of NO BENEFIT for any of the viewers). You might not be used to that elsewhere, but here we try to get smarter and learn stuff that will give the viewer more music in their lives in a positive vibe. Bottom-line: Do not make empty claims about gear you dont have any personal experience with. Ask a intelligent question to the community instead to people who has. When accusing someone of doing something wrong, be prepared to explain why and HOW it is done right, according to your own experience. Or... find another channel, where lack of giving back or backing up claims with substance is tolerated. 😘😉 (wink,wink)

[@sandroberio7854]

@@stjernholmreviews ACCORDING TO ME, the best blind test is a ABX one,: this is "A", this is "B",(few seconds of listening, cause this is how long the hearing memory lasts), and now this is "X": choose if it's A or B. You didn't do this, which of coarse we must accept. Did you control the Volts at the speaker's binding post using A or B? I know, they are transports hooked to the ampli through coax. cables, there should be no difference, but ME THINKS it should be done. The switching between A and B must be performed by someone else, not by the listeners, and the switching must be randomly choosed (flipping a coin, for instance). and, before starting, choose how long will last every A or B listening. Maybe the listener(s) can ask for another A or B, if decided before. And now the scores: you and your friend have both understood which is which 100% of the times? With huge difference between A and be AS DESCRIBED? Very odd for digital devices, I've never read it happened. Maybe, ME THINKS there are 2 options: 1) the marantz has got some strange problems I cannot even imaginated 2) or the project is something that breaks the laws of physics and so will become world-famous and the other transports are bound to disappear! Regards

[@stjernholmreviews]

@@sandroberio7854 I setup 3 inputs on the digital amplifier. Named them 1 2 3. one of them was the AES from the transport. that could be our X. Karsten was 100% blind listening, but I had conducted the hookup. The difference is not hard to pick out for any trained listener. You can pick out the difference after a while in the file. Nobody are talking about a HUGE difference. We are talking about subtle differences, but there are a positive difference that calmer and more natural on the player that turned out to be the pro-ject.

[@Groningenlegends]

With so much screaming and capitals, i am really disappointed someone let you use a computer, let alone your 'opinions' are still here!

[@reestyfarts]

I think a better comparison would be using the optical outputs on each device instead of the digital coax. Light is a filter.

[@stjernholmreviews]

It is controversial, as many audiophiles think that coaxial is better. It would make for a interesting comparison. You are absolutely right, that the galvanic separation could be an advantage with some gear. Thank you for commenting and watching the channel!