Rotel RCD-12 (2012-2016) - Experiences using it as a CD transport?

[DTTOM37]

As the title says, I am looking at Rotel RCD-12 for a good price at the hi-fi repair shop I trust.

Somehow I am considering trying again some of my recently bought CDs (Discogs pre-loudness war mainly), just because my 15 year old cheapo DVD player (Pioneer, about 79 Euros back then), sounded to my ears better over SPDIF/COAX than UPNP/DLNA streaming of the ripped version and on par with a local usb source. I had abandoned CD playing as a source in the music chain some 15 years ago and ripped actually all of my cd's.

However, this experience created the idea that looking for a transport could be an option again, and I looked at SONY CD/SACD/BD players around 250 Euros at Amazon, however I doubt that their anti-resonance strategy for this entry level products will produce any excitement. Then I saw the Rotel today, which looks solid built with a slot-in mechanism and some scratches on the top (whhich I don't mind at all for a worek horse) and was wondering who can tell me about the experience of this device as a transport only.?

Thanks in advance, Tom

 

[Owl]

I can certainly understand you renewed interest in cd's, to me, they still sound great and I enjoy the liner notes. I don't have any experience with that particular model, but I have used several players as transports with complete success. I have noticed that the DVD and blu-ray players have noisy drives, even while playing regular cd's. If you pass on the Rotel make sure you test drive any universal players before purchase.

 

[DTTOM37]

Thank you @Owl
Last time I looked at the offer of our loacl library I had seen about 300 SACDs for lending. That was 5 years ago or so, but empting back then.
However, I have stopped buying any physical media as daily driver for music / video around 2010 and don't own any BR or SACD. So it's just an audiophile itch to cope with.
The Sony CD/SACD/BRD would be from Amazon and sit eems to be very lightweight.
I would expect from Rotel a much lower noise drive, even I know that the medium consumer models from a decade ago aren't best at that task.

 

[Doodski]

Thank you @Owl
Last time I looked at the offer of our loacl library I had seen about 300 SACDs for lending. That was 5 years ago or so, but empting back then.
However, I have stopped buying any physical media as daily driver for music / video around 2010 and don't own any BR or SACD. So it's just an audiophile itch to cope with.
The Sony CD/SACD/BRD would be from Amazon and sit eems to be very lightweight.
I would expect from Rotel a much lower noise drive, even I know that the medium consumer models from a decade ago aren't best at that task.

Noisy CD drives/servos is not uncommon. If it is very hissy, chirpy and clicky sounding then ask the tech if he may calibrate the servos as they may be calibrated a little hot. Well calibrated servos still make noise but they are usually a bit quieter than a hot setup.

 

[DTTOM37]

Noisy CD drives/servos is not uncommon. If it is very hissy, chirpy and clicky sounding then ask the tech if he may calibrate the servos as they may be calibrated a little hot. Well calibrated servos still make noise but they are usually a bit quieter than a hot setup.

Thank you @Doodski Would you suggestion be valid for slot in drives (as with the Rotel), too ?

 

[Doodski]

Thank you @Doodski Would you suggestion be valid for slot in drives (as with the Rotel), too ?

It is a power load machine? They still have servos so it should still apply.