CD Transport

@leog2015 - selling?  No, I just got it. I was just posting my initial impressions for anyone in the market for a TL5. 

@chayro 

Congratulations!!

I hope it serves you well for many years.

Charles 

Are you selling your TL5?

Just following up for anyone interested in the CEC TL5. I received mine today and it is very nicely made with a well-damped chassis and everything feels commensurate with the price. Yes I know they are selling them on EBay for $1000, but I chose not to go that route. Audio Union is the distributor, but sales are now through a few dealers. I bought mine from Atelier 13 Audio in Nashville and I dealt with Constantin, who was extremely professional. 3 weeks from order to delivery as promised. I can’t comment on the sound compared to my CXC as it’s too new and I’m breaking in a new dac, so it’s really impossible to know what’s causing what. In any case, the TL5 is very nice. I’m sure the next model up for double the price is even nicer, but that’s the way things go sometimes. 

Have the Sim260D, originally in my main system now in my 2nd. No operating problems and using the AES/EBU output takes its SQ performance beyond the SPDIF

@leog2015 - the nu[prime was just OK.  The Sim was good but there were better older units that out performed it but it was still very nice.

The CEC units are very good.  I did not prefer the TL5 as much.  The model 2 with the 2 belt system was very good.  I compared the Jays II to the old  Metronome T1A & AL2 CD Transport & Power Supply we own.  The Jays was more forward sounding and more detailed.  The Metronome showing its age was much more musical and that is the sound I prefer in our systems.  I have not heard the Jays III transport.  As a manufacturer and repair place, we modify a lot of CDPs and once modified you get really close to a reference player and most have a  digital output.  We prefer that option over spending too much on a transport.  The ones I have were ones we purchased broken, purchased cheap and then repaired them.  We just finished an old HK CDP and it sounds fantastic.  The old Marantz model 94 CDPs sound excellent to this day and can be used as a transport.  Once modified (upgraded) they are very heard to beat IMO.  A number of years back there was a tiny Nano CD transport and for $600 it was a killer unit.  Have not seen any around in years but they were mind blowing for the price.

Happy Listening.

260d needed new transport after less than 2 years. 230d needed transport repair. These were a few years ago

@chayro 

👍

@charles1dad - CEC estimates the belt life as 5 years, which of course depends on use. They do go on to say that it’s not necessary to change the belt after 5 years if it all sounds right. I have a strong feeling that belt will be the least of my worries in 5 years. 

@chayro 

I have a CEC on the way. There are a lot of choices and very difficult to compare them side by side. I like the ergonomics of the unit and the fact that it is a time-tested design with US service

A friend of mine had an upper level TL2 for a number of years.

It is a high-quality CD transport and from my observation quite reliable. He did have to change the drive belt from time to time as they tend to stretch after awhile. It is also a well-built top loading unit as well. There are definitely very good options available for those who continue to greatly enjoy the physical media CD.

Charles

The thing I truly enjoy with the Jay's cdt2-mk3 is the I2s connection which is a match for the Gustard X26 PRO.  It easily surpasses the AES connection in clarity and overall imaging. Bigger and clearer sound. And the AES is no slouch. But in all honesty, the I2s connection really blossomed once I bought the Tubulus Concentus cable. Lesser cables did not do it justice. I wonder what jasonborne would have to say about that.

I have a CEC on the way. There are a lot of choices and very difficult to compare them side by side. I like the ergonomics of the unit and the fact that it is a time-tested design with US service.

@2psyop 

@charles1dad 

Additionally I purchased a spare Phillips CDM4 mechanism from them and at 69 I feel that I will be set for life with this beauty. I honestly feel it would be a disservice not to consider it. And at under 3k to boot. Jay's and Gustard are two products from China I can buy without any reservation. And I get it, the 3 units the OP mentions are from USA, England and Japan. Maybe China is a turn-off. However sound and value are the two main components in my equipment decisions. Plus Jay's service is outstanding.

@baylinor 

Jay's strangely absent in this discussion. Fantastic top loader.

The Jay’s Audio gets mucho praise on this forum (A quick search confirms that). The OP mentioned the 3 specific CD transport choices he’s interested in. But yes I like a good quality top loading CD transport as well. Simpler and very effective.
Charles 

I agree with baylinor. I have the Jay's Audio Cdt2 MK2. It's a great top loader. very simple design, dual mono and balanced output.

@leog2015 yes it's not there yet but we are also a Bricasti dealer and if you would like more info please PM us. We are located 30 minutes from the Bricasti factory.

Steve

(Dealer disclaimer)

I’ve couldn’t  find any sacd/cd transport in Bricasti’s web page… Do you have any info about this new unit?

@leog2015

Out of all the things you listed above I would think the Teac one will be best since Teac and Esoteric make one of the best if not the best disc transports in the world within their price ranges respectively. I know for sure the Esoteric made the absolute best disc (CD & SACD) transports. Teac owns Esoteric and the latter is basically the high end line of former. it’s kinda like Toyota and Lexus with Teac being Toyota and Esoteric being Lexus.

However, like verdantaudio has pointed out above that Bricasti has recently released the M9 CD/SACD transport to match with and to go with your Bricasti M1 S2 DAC. So, that being said the Bricasti disc transport will be your best option for your Bricasti DAC and will yield the best sonic quality for your DAC.

There’s a new, in box Esoteric SA-60 for sale on A’gon for $2,698: Esoteric SA-60

Its DAC is now outdated but it would still make for a killer CD transport.

I have an Esoteric DV-50S connecting into a Denafrips Venus II DAC for CD playback. Esoterics are built like tanks.

@bigkidz 

For those who feel CD transports do not sound different, I invite you to our listening room where we have Audiomeca Mephisto II,  Metronome, Marantz, Cary, and a bunch of streamers to compare with your own ears.

The crowd you're addressing is adamantly opposed to utilizing using those odd cartilaginous formations on either side of their heads for anything other than keeping their glasses from falling off their faces. If you ever read through threads on ASR, you'll encounter a cockiness and pervasive disdain for anyone who does not belong to their "hearing is not believing" cult. Clearly, these folks have a huge amount of emotional investment in the sense of superiority they derive from membership. 

also problems with Nuprime transport and Nuprime service was non existent...

Yeah, I’ve seen others say the same thing about NuPrime’s nonexistent customer service that is inexcusable and would definitely make it a no go for me especially as there are several other viable options from companies who actually care about their customers.  Plus, I’ll never buy another product from a company that doesn’t support its products — looking at you iFi.

I have the Primare CD35 which I believe has the same transport as the DD35 and it's terrific...I had serious problems with 2 Sim CD player transports, though Sim service was great though not cheap...also problems with Nuprime transport and Nuprime service was non existent...

Jay's strangely absent in this discussion. Fantastic top loader.

New options: Simaudio 260 and Nuprime CDT-10…-

@bigkidz 

For those who feel CD transports do not sound different, I invite you to our listening room where we have Audiomeca Mephisto II,  Metronome, Marantz, Cary, and a bunch of streamers to compare with your own ears.

I don't believe the dogmatic "All transports sound the same" types would accept your generous invitation to listen to the excellent choices you have. They're too bias and rigid in their mindset. Negative confirmation bias on display.

Charles

For those who feel CD transports do not sound different, I invite you to our listening room where we have Audiomeca Mephisto II,  Metronome, Marantz, Cary, and a bunch of streamers to compare with your own ears.

You are limiting your search to CD Transports when there are CDPs that also have digital outputs that you can use.  For instance the Marantz model 94.  Old but one of the best sounding stand alone CDPs which can also be used as a transport.  There are so many pieces to consider but most importantly get one and have it modified especially in the power supply and you will elevate the performance tremendously.

Happy Listening.  

Did you know that Bricasti just released the M19 SACD transport that will work with your M1 S2? it is not inexpensive at $10K list but will match aesthetically and supports SACD and CD. Just thought I would share since this is pretty new news.

I have not heard the unit yet. Just am aware that it has been announced.  BTW, the reason I know is that I am a Bricasti dealer

For longevity I suggest a top loader.

Schiit introduced one as well.   They claim it is not a re-boxed computer DVD drive suggesting some others are. 

I  put everything in FLAC as I ran out of shelf space for disks. Easier. So my PC DVD is my drive.  No issues with stability, skips, re-reads, clocking or even magic.  The OS and data transport layer take care of that. 

@leog2015 

There is a detailed write-up about the TEAC on this A'Gon discussion thread.

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/resolving-cd-transports-crowd-sourcing

I'm also interested in the TEAC 701T, but I haven't auditioned it because it's my understanding that it's not in inventory. Have you found a dealer with one in stock?

David

Since you believe that CD transports sound different nothing I say will convince you otherwise. Therefore buy the least expensive of the three.