Anyone familiar with the Philips CD Pro 2 Transport/Drive unit?

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GlennDog
GlennDog Posts: 3,085
edited November 2021 in 2 Channel Audio
I'm thinking of having a backup transport/drive unit . . .but to the tune of $900 clams, i've got 2nd thoughts . . . 3rd and 4th thoughts, too!! Damn pricey

a few yrs ago Skip sold me on the Italian North Star Design line. Unfortunately, they are no longer in biz. GREAT DACs if you can find one
fyi, this transport in fine, too . . . if you're still spinning discs

A few months ago I picked up a NSD DAC and 192 Transport. It delivers the goods in spades. So I'd like a little insurance by having a spare transport ...BUT $900 !!

I'm looking for options, I'll prolly just buy one and put in on the shelve

https://encosystems.net/product/philips-cd-pro-2/





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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,871
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    Price is only going to go up as this is discontinued. My Jay's audio transport uses the cdm4, guess i better get a spare as this one is also discontinued but there is still a big supply out there. Jay's had a transport above mine that used the cd pro2 and had to discontinue it as they could not enough pro 2's.
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Puritan PSM156
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  • GlennDog
    GlennDog Posts: 3,085
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    I found this ..

    ""Update November 2020

    The CD Pro 2 module is still offered on the Enco website but at double the old price. Listed at 800-850 USD, the site mentions the following.
    “Discontinued by Philips in 2013, these are essentially the last new CD Pro drives available on the world market. We are selling these units from our proprietary reserve of new drives. This is the latest (and last) version of the CD Pro-family of player modules — The CD Pro 2LF (version VAU 1255/21LF). It is drop-in, backward compatible with CDM-12 Industrial, CD Pro 1 and CD Pro 2, 2M and 2LF. It is NOT drop-in or backward compatible with CDM-3, CDM-4 or other non-Pro family CD player modules.”



    I was really hoping you or Jesse would have 2 or 3 spares you might be willing to sell to a Polkie at, or near cost . . LOL B)
    One can hope!

    AC Regenerator PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
    Source Lumin U1 Mini into Lampi Baltic 4
    Pre Cary SLP-05
    Power Rogue M180 Dark monos
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,871
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    contact jay's audio to see if they held any for warranty work.
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Puritan PSM156
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 49,794
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    Sorry, none of those here.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 49,794
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    Instead of buying an entire transport you might consider buying just the optical pickup as that is what typically goes bad.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,871
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    F1nut wrote: »
    Instead of buying an entire transport you might consider buying just the optical pickup as that is what typically goes bad.

    that's what he's talkin about.
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Puritan PSM156
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
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    While everything matters, does the transport make that much difference in the sound? For a spare it would seem a decent CD player with digital outputs bypassing the player’s analog stage would be pretty darn good, and a lot less expensive.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 49,794
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    marvda1 wrote: »
    F1nut wrote: »
    Instead of buying an entire transport you might consider buying just the optical pickup as that is what typically goes bad.

    that's what he's talkin about.

    No, he's talked about an entire transport. The optical pickup, aka the laser is what generally goes bad.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,871
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    look at the link he provided.
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Puritan PSM156
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 49,794
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    marvda1 wrote: »
    look at the link he provided.

    That is a transport. The optical pickup, aka laser is mounted in the transport. I circled the lens for you.
    lyntc3nsg8bl.jpg
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 49,794
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    A CD Pro 2 optical pickup.
    xij3khred9in.jpeg
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,871
    edited November 2021
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    i think you are confusing what a transport is. notice in the link they don't call it a transport. the north star player is the transport. they say the pro 2 unit is used in a transport or cd player.
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Puritan PSM156
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 49,794
    edited November 2021
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    I'm not confused, I know exactly what I'm talking about. The mechanism that contains the optical pickup, motors, sled and often the tray and possibly the board have always been called the transport.

    Example:
    https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001097432622.html
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,871
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    well we have two different items with the same name, confusing it is. the cd transport houses a cd transport, weird it is. :D
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Puritan PSM156
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 49,794
    edited November 2021
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    It gets even more confusing as some manufacturers call the entire mechanism a loader. Another, Marantz calls it a mecha loader/mecha traverse or just a transport mechanism.
    5oca4mpxfa22.jpg
    l2k150634vn2.png
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • GlennDog
    GlennDog Posts: 3,085
    edited November 2021
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    Thanks for all the input ..

    I've never performed surgery like this. Sooo, do you knowledgable gents think this would be a suitable alternative/replacement?

    https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002689984928.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.41f352d298Hyth&algo_pvid=353abcea-c0f1-4b94-9dc4-44b829ff833f&algo_exp_id=353abcea-c0f1-4b94-9dc4-44b829ff833f-1&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id":"12000021733583094"}



    I realize this is a CCP product, but the one in the link at the top of the page prolly is, too!
    Post edited by GlennDog on
    AC Regenerator PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
    Source Lumin U1 Mini into Lampi Baltic 4
    Pre Cary SLP-05
    Power Rogue M180 Dark monos
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 49,794
    edited November 2021
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    It's a 50/50 crap shoot that it will work.

    Regardless of the source there will be an anti-static solder blob on the optical pickup that needs to be desolder before installing.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • GlennDog
    GlennDog Posts: 3,085
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    yikes!
    Might be a job for a desoldering aficionado OR not worry about it 'til the day comes when she craps out!

    1st world problems lol
    AC Regenerator PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
    Source Lumin U1 Mini into Lampi Baltic 4
    Pre Cary SLP-05
    Power Rogue M180 Dark monos
    Mains Salk HT2-TL
    Rythmik F12
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 49,794
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    Weird, says that page is no longer available.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • GlennDog
    GlennDog Posts: 3,085
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    I can access the AliExpress and Enco sites ... go figure
    AC Regenerator PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
    Source Lumin U1 Mini into Lampi Baltic 4
    Pre Cary SLP-05
    Power Rogue M180 Dark monos
    Mains Salk HT2-TL
    Rythmik F12
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,132
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    North Star Design M192 Transport
    Transport - CS8420 - SM5849BF
    Philips CD-Pro 2 (VAU1254)

    Is this the info your are looking for??

    https://www.dutchaudioclassics.nl/the_complete_d_a_dac_converter_list/#N

    at the bottom of list
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 49,794
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    GlennDog wrote: »
    I can access the AliExpress and Enco sites ... go figure

    I accessed both a few times, then later when I tried the AliExpress it said no longer available. Just tried it now and it's back. Damn CCP.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • GlennDog
    GlennDog Posts: 3,085
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    F1nut wrote: »
    It's a 50/50 crap shoot that it will work.

    Regardless of the source there will be an anti-static solder blob on the optical pickup that needs to be desolder before installing.

    50/fitty is a bit risky

    I just discovered Enco is a local outfit. I think I’ll chat ‘em up this afternoon 🧐
    AC Regenerator PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
    Source Lumin U1 Mini into Lampi Baltic 4
    Pre Cary SLP-05
    Power Rogue M180 Dark monos
    Mains Salk HT2-TL
    Rythmik F12
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  • GlennDog
    GlennDog Posts: 3,085
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    txcoastal1 wrote: »
    North Star Design M192 Transport
    Transport - CS8420 - SM5849BF
    Philips CD-Pro 2 (VAU1254)

    Is this the info your are looking for??

    https://www.dutchaudioclassics.nl/the_complete_d_a_dac_converter_list/#N

    Thanks TX

    Not sure if the VAU1254 is the one for my unit.
    But that list implies North Star only used one version . . . That one!
    AC Regenerator PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
    Source Lumin U1 Mini into Lampi Baltic 4
    Pre Cary SLP-05
    Power Rogue M180 Dark monos
    Mains Salk HT2-TL
    Rythmik F12
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,352
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    Pic of shorting solder blob example in this thread.

    https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/comment/1716103#Comment_1716103

    All you need is one of these, or an iron along with a spring loaded solder sucker....in the old days we used manual squeeze bulb solder suckers. :D

    git2qwy8bgvk.jpg


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