this is the way and is what we want.. a CD transport and then let the DAC do the job along with connecting a stand alone streamer and other digital devices. Let each component due their sole job for maximum performance.
Thanks for the review. I have a CDT2-MK3 - a more modest version of this one - half the price. It sounds good obviously (I don't think that in my system a CDT3 would make a significant difference, and if so, perhaps not even for the better). having a large CD collection, and still getting a lot of satisfaction out of playing CDs - actually the main reason I got a Jay's audio is that I want a transport that will last many years - say, at least 20. (Who knows what transports will still be available 10-15 years from now?) The laser mechanism in the CDT2 is a Philips CDM4/19, while the CDT3 has a Philips CDPRO2 LF mechanism. Looking at the available sources, it seems that the cheaper CDM4/19 mechanism is actually the more reliable one of the two. CDT2 as a whole is also a lot easier to service in the future because of its less complex construction. I know it might not be a reason for many, but i think that it is still worthwhile to mention here.
Thank you for another great and informative review! Would be interesting to know how you rank the cdt3 to your previous aries g2 since they are similar in price. kind regards
I'm pretty surprised you said the mu1 sounds better. Very interesting. I took a look at the internals of the mu1 and to be quite honest, I'm not impressed at all. I know looks doesn't tell the whole story, but it just doesn't look like the mu1 should be priced that much.
Not the conclusion I expected. I thought it would go straight in to your reference system. I wonder where it went wrong for them. It does not seem like they compromised on parts.
It’s a very good cd-transport but having a Grimm Audio MU1 in the system there is no need anymore for a cd-transport. Apart from the fact that my funds aren’t unlimited, especially in this time of day.
You should hear the Aqua La Diva - I heard it in cirect comparison with Innuos Statement is it wiped the floor with it. GRIMM must therefore be pretty darn good.
I just purchased a Lampizator Poseidon Pre-Amp/DAC. I want to get the maximum audio quality (not resolution, or audiophilia concerns) out of my 15,500 CDs (I also play 28,500 LPs and 7,000 78s) without breaking the bank. I have Von Schweikert VR9 SE Mk2 speakers. Would you comment on whether I should dump the Poseidon as a DAC and just replace it with a Grimm Audio MU1 CD streamer with a cheap or other quality CD transport for better musical enjoyment since your video indicated that the Jay's Audio above has a less than satisfying lower mid-range resolution (lower mids are important for acoustic music as it gives it the body/soul). Did you mention that a cheap transport would work as well (such as a Shanling ET3 top loader)? I failed to find a CD transport/player in your Setup Videos. Do you listen to CDs?
Hello Hans, per your recommendation, I bought the MU1 and jettisoned the MSCALER. totally satisfied - not ever looking back. Curious, if you attempted to connect CDT3 to the AES/EBU input of the MU1? Also, do you use the volume control of the MU1 or DAVE?
I have not connected the CDT3 to the MU1 since I already tried a very cheap jittery CD recorder and that sounded great (!!!!). I use the volume control on the Ayre amp, use 4 x oversampling on the MU1 with the 3 dB headroom switched on and the DAVE volume is set to 0 dB.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel I'll give those settings a try. Interestingly I've found that studio recordings from mid 70's-early 80's have slightly better soundstage with 2X OS than 4X. ...YSEMM (Your Sound Experience May Vary)
I was planning to purchase this item, but stumbled on a used Oppo 105D that I simply couldn’t turn down. I thought the Jay’s Audio was the bomb. Hadn’t considered the Grim. I’ve also come to appreciate the value of a player as opposed to a transport in my system. My analog preamp allows each input’s level to be ‘trimmed’ so that one doesn’t have to readjust the volume level when moving from digital source to digital source on the DAC. I often find CDs play at much lower level through AES/EBU input to the DAC than the streamer playing through the SPDIF (coaxial) on the same DAC. I really need to be able to trim the inputs on the DAC itself, but using a player, gives me the same functionality, using the preamp’s remote to make the changes is icing on the cake. (The DAC doesn’t have a remote.)
Excellent, objecting review of this CD Transport; and I'm very impressed that such very good quality hi fi audio components, of high performance, can be manufactured in China. Thumbs up. In Canada this Jay’s Audio CDT3 MK III CD transport can be even more expensive! However expensive, it's a good thing that audio - or as I call them music CDs - have very high performance, quality, and reliable hi fi audio equipment to play back from.🔉🎼🎵
While I conceptually understand the meaningful difference in sound quality between DACs, how much are you convinced based on your experience here and elsewhere that there is a meaningful difference in sound quality between transports?
Are you serious? Why would I spend a lot of money on a Grimm Audio MU1 if the Auralic Aries G2 I had previously was just as good. A technical explanation can be found in my video ‘Why switches influence the sound quality’ (ua-cam.com/video/B-StTplQZys/v-deo.html) for what goes for switches also goes for transports.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thanks! This was a genuine question, not a statement. I myself don't know. However, I have seen here on UA-cam someone comparing a poor quality transport tof a supposedly much higher quality one and then using software to "prove" that the digital information being extracted from one and the same compact disc playing on each machine was identical. If this were to be the case generally (and I suppose that would be a BIG if), then what would the source of any audible difference be?
Thank you Hans, you're the one reviewer opinion I truly value. And I say that as a fairly experienced audiophile of 45 years. All the best to you.
Thanks!
this is the way and is what we want.. a CD transport and then let the DAC do the job along with connecting a stand alone streamer and other digital devices. Let each component due their sole job for maximum performance.
Thanks for the review. I have a CDT2-MK3 - a more modest version of this one - half the price. It sounds good obviously (I don't think that in my system a CDT3 would make a significant difference, and if so, perhaps not even for the better).
having a large CD collection, and still getting a lot of satisfaction out of playing CDs - actually the main reason I got a Jay's audio is that I want a transport that will last many years - say, at least 20. (Who knows what transports will still be available 10-15 years from now?) The laser mechanism in the CDT2 is a Philips CDM4/19, while the CDT3 has a Philips CDPRO2 LF mechanism. Looking at the available sources, it seems that the cheaper CDM4/19 mechanism is actually the more reliable one of the two. CDT2 as a whole is also a lot easier to service in the future because of its less complex construction. I know it might not be a reason for many, but i think that it is still worthwhile to mention here.
Happy to hear the bombshell at the end is back!
Thank you for another great and informative review! Would be interesting to know how you rank the cdt3 to your previous aries g2 since they are similar in price. kind regards
I had no opportunity to do an AB test but from my notes I would say that they are about equal save the lower mid resolution.
I wanted to ask this. Haha
I'm pretty surprised you said the mu1 sounds better. Very interesting. I took a look at the internals of the mu1 and to be quite honest, I'm not impressed at all. I know looks doesn't tell the whole story, but it just doesn't look like the mu1 should be priced that much.
Well, you didn't hear it, obviously.
Not the conclusion I expected. I thought it would go straight in to your reference system. I wonder where it went wrong for them. It does not seem like they compromised on parts.
It’s a very good cd-transport but having a Grimm Audio MU1 in the system there is no need anymore for a cd-transport. Apart from the fact that my funds aren’t unlimited, especially in this time of day.
I know that problem. My funds are also only unlimited in the evening 😉
music servers / streamers have come a long way in SQ and no longer trail CD players. Those days are over.
Interesting discussion -- have a wonderful holiday season
Thanks, you too.
You should hear the Aqua La Diva - I heard it in cirect comparison with Innuos Statement is it wiped the floor with it. GRIMM must therefore be pretty darn good.
It is.
MU1 would be just as good and or crush the aqua. And it’s a little smaller too.
I just purchased a Lampizator Poseidon Pre-Amp/DAC. I want to get the maximum audio quality (not resolution, or audiophilia concerns) out of my 15,500 CDs (I also play 28,500 LPs and 7,000 78s) without breaking the bank. I have Von Schweikert VR9 SE Mk2 speakers. Would you comment on whether I should dump the Poseidon as a DAC and just replace it with a Grimm Audio MU1 CD streamer with a cheap or other quality CD transport for better musical enjoyment since your video indicated that the Jay's Audio above has a less than satisfying lower mid-range resolution (lower mids are important for acoustic music as it gives it the body/soul). Did you mention that a cheap transport would work as well (such as a Shanling ET3 top loader)? I failed to find a CD transport/player in your Setup Videos. Do you listen to CDs?
I listen to cds after I have ripped them to a hard disk
Looks like a monster to me, both price and size wise.
Well, what can I say....
Quite expensive. I wonder if it's really worth double the price of the CD2 model. Double the performance or audio quality?
If that is your state of mind, it surely isn’t 😄
I know my friend. In the audio game, it never is, as much as we'd like it to. @@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel
Hello Hans, per your recommendation, I bought the MU1 and jettisoned the MSCALER. totally satisfied - not ever looking back. Curious, if you attempted to connect CDT3 to the AES/EBU input of the MU1? Also, do you use the volume control of the MU1 or DAVE?
I have not connected the CDT3 to the MU1 since I already tried a very cheap jittery CD recorder and that sounded great (!!!!). I use the volume control on the Ayre amp, use 4 x oversampling on the MU1 with the 3 dB headroom switched on and the DAVE volume is set to 0 dB.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel I'll give those settings a try. Interestingly I've found that studio recordings from mid 70's-early 80's have slightly better soundstage with 2X OS than 4X. ...YSEMM (Your Sound Experience May Vary)
Could you do a review of the peachtree Nova 300 intergrated amp?
I'll see what I can do.
this vs Marantz 30 SACDn ?
I have not reviewed the Marantz. Sorry.
I was planning to purchase this item, but stumbled on a used Oppo 105D that I simply couldn’t turn down. I thought the Jay’s Audio was the bomb. Hadn’t considered the Grim. I’ve also come to appreciate the value of a player as opposed to a transport in my system. My analog preamp allows each input’s level to be ‘trimmed’ so that one doesn’t have to readjust the volume level when moving from digital source to digital source on the DAC. I often find CDs play at much lower level through AES/EBU input to the DAC than the streamer playing through the SPDIF (coaxial) on the same DAC. I really need to be able to trim the inputs on the DAC itself, but using a player, gives me the same functionality, using the preamp’s remote to make the changes is icing on the cake. (The DAC doesn’t have a remote.)
Interesting. Normally AES/EBU and SPDIF carry the same digital signal and thus should sound just as loud.
Enjoy the music, amen to that!
👍🏼
interesting to hear about CD players, though that price is just nuts to me.
Excellent, objecting review of this CD Transport; and I'm very impressed that such very good quality hi fi audio components, of high performance, can be manufactured in China. Thumbs up.
In Canada this Jay’s Audio CDT3 MK III CD transport can be even more expensive! However expensive, it's a good thing that audio - or as I call them music CDs - have very high performance, quality, and reliable hi fi audio equipment to play back from.🔉🎼🎵
Enjoy the music
While I conceptually understand the meaningful difference in sound quality between DACs, how much are you convinced based on your experience here and elsewhere that there is a meaningful difference in sound quality between transports?
Are you serious? Why would I spend a lot of money on a Grimm Audio MU1 if the Auralic Aries G2 I had previously was just as good. A technical explanation can be found in my video ‘Why switches influence the sound quality’ (ua-cam.com/video/B-StTplQZys/v-deo.html) for what goes for switches also goes for transports.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thanks! This was a genuine question, not a statement. I myself don't know. However, I have seen here on UA-cam someone comparing a poor quality transport tof a supposedly much higher quality one and then using software to "prove" that the digital information being extracted from one and the same compact disc playing on each machine was identical. If this were to be the case generally (and I suppose that would be a BIG if), then what would the source of any audible difference be?
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel And, yes, I will watch that video. Thanks.