CEC Belt Drive CD Transports vs Jay's Audio CD Transports

@nonoise Oh, okay... now I understand.  Thank you for reminding me of the context... that makes sense to me now.

Best wishes,

Don

@chayro Hi, I'm using the "Super Burndy" which connects the CDSII to the XPS.  Is that what you are asking me?  I'm sorry if I am misunderstanding.

Best wishes,

Don

@chayro Thank you for your reply!  Yes, the CDT3 is a heavy beast at 50lbs.  However, the CDT2 only comes in at 33 lbs, still heavy, but more manageable.

I'm happy to hear that you've been enjoying your CEC!  Which dac are you using with it?  Does you new combination of the CEC/Dac outperform the Naim you had?

What kind of differences do you notice, if you don't mind sharing with me?

Thanks and again and best wishes to you!

Don

@digital3  Thank you for letting me know that TMR has a nice one for sale.  As nice as that does look, I think I will be buying new as I’d like a warranty. 
 

@audiotroy  Thank you for your post. That is a good idea, and I may consider a very nice streamer at some point in the future; but at this moment I just want a very nice transport.  
 

@whart  Thank you for your post!!!

I was hoping to hear from actual users of the CEC transports. I too am a vinyl guy.  I’m thinking digital will only comprise 80% of my listening as I truly love listening to my minty vinyl collection 😉

Did you have a chance to compare the CEC with any other transports?

Which transport did you replace?

Was there a significant improvement in sound?

Thank you and best wishes to you all!

Don

@whart Thank you for your reply!  I've been a vinyl guy for 50 years and love my analog rig and all my minty lp's.  However, I am noticing there is some great music that I am missing out on that I can't get on vinyl, hence the reason I am trying to step up the digital side of my system. Vinyl will still be my primary source though.

Do you think the CEC made gave you a big uptick in sound quality over the Oppo?

I agree, having service is huge!  The Jay's has a service center in Texas and it's nice to know CEC can be serviced in the US as well.

Thank you and best wishes,

Don

@rsf507 

@larsman 

@oddiofyl 

Thank you to all of you for your posts!  I agree with you.  I have read from many that as good as streaming can sound, even with a very expensive streamer, a top notch cd transport and dac will outperform the streamer sound wise.  Hard to beat the streamer for convenience though I would guess.

My goal is to optimize my CD playback first (within my limited budget) and then at some point maybe add a quality streamer for more or less background music at some point into the future.

Best wishes,

Don

@oddiofyl Thank you for sharing your comments!  The Teac is a great machine by many accounts and I hope it gives you many years of great and reliable service.  I think I am personally leaning more towards a top loading machine myself.

Best wishes,

Don

@bigkidz Thank you for your detailed reply!  I found that to be very helpful.

Best wishes,

Don

@alexberger Hello and thank you for your post!  I will try and investigate the SHANLING ET3 or SMSL PL200 that you have mentioned.

Best wishes,

Don

@mbmi I love your excitement you have regarding the CEC/Laiv!  I'm curious, what other cd transports have you compared with the CEC? How did they compare or differ in sound?

Thank you for your post!

Best wishes,

Don

@chayro I have to believe that the TL5 with an Audio Note Dac 2.1 Signature is an amazing sounding digital rig!

I think overall the Naim does a pretty good job.  It's dynamic, full sounding with great soundstagning.  But it still sounds digital to me in the way that it can sound hard, and somewhat 2- dimensional at times.  

My vinyl rig sounds 3-dimensional, there's flesh on the bones, a palpable weight to the music.  It just sounds more like real live musicians playing real instruments in a real space.

My Naim gear was supposedly really great back in the day.  At the price point, it sure had better been, lol.  But it never once came close to my vinyl rig.

Decades have come and gone and I'm hoping that digital has come a long way.  I'm skeptical at spending insane amounts of money at it right now.  So I'm dipping my toes back in the water vs just diving in head first again.

I'm starting out with the new LTA Aero Dac  and I'm willing to spend around $2500 to around $5000 for a dedicated cd transport ( hopefully closer to the lower end if possible though ).  It's my hope that this will give me a digital rig that will be satisfying to me. Fingers are crossed.

Thank you again for your post!

Best wishes,

Don

@whart I appreciate your recent post!  It seems as though you and I may be somewhat similar.

I do a lot of research, auditioning in home when possible, etc before buying a piece of gear.  I too have been lucky in that I've been very happy with the majority of my gear and have had it all for a very long time.  I'm not a flavor of the month kind of guy.  I buy the best that I can that is within my budget and I am generally very happy with that for a very long time.

I suspect that vinyl will always be my primary source.  But like you, I want to be able to listen to music that I can't find on vinyl.  I've spent hundreds on single records that I really wanted... but I refuse to spend thousands on some of these records and so I am hoping I can find decent sounding cd's of the same.

Yes, I agree... I am hoping there may be a few people who have had the opportunity to hear both the CEC and the Jay's that can share their experiences with me.

Thanks again for your contributions!

Best wishes,

Don

@bigkidz Hello and thank you for your post.  When I did my search prior to creating this thread, I only came across one thread (back in June of 2022) and it quickly turned into a discussion about the Project transport and LTA linear power supplies.  It really didn't talk at all about any sonic comparisons between the CEC and the Jay's Audio transports, which is what I am trying to ascertain.

I'm happy to hear you say that a really good transport and dac will sound better than a streamer.  It also doesn't shock me to hear you say that it will not sound better than a record. Hence the reason I have been heavily into vinyl for the last 50 years.  Some may say I've just had my head stuck in the sand.

Thanks again for your post!

Best wishes,

Don

@chayro Oh, I understand now.  Thank you for the clarification.  I'm using a high purity oxygen free copper cable with WBT connectors by Mark Grant from the Naim CDS into my line stage.  All other cables throughout my system are by Acoustic Zen Absolute Copper Foils.including the digital cable connecting whichever cd transport I end up with to the new LTA Aero.

Yes, I am hoping the new LTA Aero will be a better match for my system too.

Thanks again and best wishes to you,

Don

@vthokie83 

Hello and thank you for your post!  I truly appreciate you taking the time to share with me your experience of comparing the two Jay’s Audio transports.  

I also had a member from another forum who commented on his experience of comparing the two Jay’s Audio transports and he actually preferred the CDT2 more so than the CDT3. He thought the CDT2 sounded more analog and had a better flow to the music.  
 

I think that if I go with a Jays it will be the CDT2mk3.

Thank you again for sharing your experiences with me!

Best wishes,

Don

@mbmi Thank you for your tip on buying directly from Japan and the voltage difference, etc.  I’ll have to investigate that some more!

Id love to get the TL2N, but at US prices, it seems pretty steep. 
 

Thx again for your post!

Don

@rja Thank you for your post!  

Can you remind me which CEC transport you are using?

I'm happy to hear that it hasn't given you any problems!

I've been finally beginning to get a few good, positive comments about the CEC line on the various forums and the research that I've been doing.  I am intrigued!

I hate digital that sounds hard, glassy, grating, thread bare, 2-dimensional, etc.  It seems many comments of the CEC make it sound less digital that other products.  But at the same time, I don't want it to sound slow, lethargic, soft, mushy, etc either.  

I would imagine that it will be very much system dependent, just as any product would be.

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts with me!

Best wishes,

Don

@kennyc Thank you for your post!

It's always good to be made aware of the various options that are available.

I've read great things about the Project, but the reliability aspect for me is disheartening.  I have enough stress in my life... I don't want to add more by buying a piece that seems to be having struggles.  I even heard that it is next to impossible to even get one right now as they had stopped the distribution until they resolved their QC issues.  Maybe all is well now, but I just don't really know.

I hope yours turns out to be a good one as from what I understand, when it works - it may be the one to beat!

Best wishes,

Don

@psf4972 Hello and thank you for your post!  I must admit, that I have never heard of the Sparkler Audio notebook 507T transport.  I'm sure that there are many other products that I am not aware of too, so thank you for bringing it to my attention.  

I also appreciate the fact that you also shared your thoughts on the other products as well, to give it some context.

Thank you once again and best wishes to you,

Don

@mofimadness Thank you for your comment!

I find the TL2N to be intriguing.  Is the TL2N the same as the TL2?

I'm curious if you had the opportunity to compare the TL2 to any other cd transports?  If yes, how did they differ?

Can you share what it is about the TL2 that you love so much?

How often does one need to replace the belts?  Where do you get the belts from?

Thank you so much for helping me understand better.

Best wishes to you,

Don

@snopro Thank you for your post!  Which color is your CDT2mk3?

Thank you and best wishes to you,

Don

@snopro Hello and thank you for your reply!  As nice as it looks in silver, if I go with the Jay's, I will want it in black, to go with the rest of my system components.

Best wishes,

Don

@chayro Ouch, $100 for a little rubber belt is an insane mark up. The TL2N needs two! I have to believe that you could find on, the same size, from a rubber belt manufacturer for probably less than $10.

I appreciate you sharing the information with me though! I’ll have to give Constantin a call.

Thank you and Best wishes,

Don

@mbmi "With the TL-5 , they have a 1 belt system and give you a spare belt at no charge...Mine is over 2 years old and shows NO sign of wear."

That's great to know.  It's nice to know that CEC seems to be making a great product with reliability to match!

Best wishes,

Don

@mesch Thank you for your post!  I love hearing that people are really enjoying the CDT2mk3.  If I get the Jay's it will be that model.

Thank you for sharing your experience with me!

Best wishes,

Don

@snopro "No problem , good luck to you!"

Thank you!  

Best wishes,

Don

@jaudio1 Thank you for your post.  I will admit, I am afraid to order the Project, simply due to the many reports of reliability issues with the product.  I understand that if you happen to get one that works, that it performs at a very high level.  

However, I think I will be deciding between the Jays and CEC, as I am not hearing any negatives about reliability concerns and that their owners seem to be quite smitten the the sound quality too.

I appreciate you sharing your recommendation with me though!

Best wishes,

Don

@mofimadness Thank you for your post!

It certainly seems as though CEC is providing some great longevity! 

I can handle $10 for new belts... but charging $100 I feel is insane.  I have to wonder if that might have been a typo?

I appreciate the recommendation for Stephen Sank from Talking Dog Transducers in case any repairs need to be made.

Best wishes,

Don

@fthompson251 Hello and thank you for your post!  The reliability that you have experienced with your TL1X is a testament to CEC.

Comments like these give me more faith and trust in purchasing from CEC.

Thanks again for your comment!

Best wishes,

Don

@nonoise Hello and thank you for your post!

When you say... "To hear about power supplies, upcharges for $10 replacement belts, etc.,"

I don't understand what you mean about the power supplies.  Are you talking about power supplies for CEC transports?  Are they having issues with them, or do you mean you need to add a LPS to the CEC transport?  I may have missed something, but I guess I am confused and am not quite understanding what you mean. 

I hope you can clarify for me.

Thank you and best wishes,

Don

@chayro  Bummer!  Well, they might just price me out of their market.  
 

Best wishes,

Don

@rja "Mine is the CEC TL3N model. Not sure if it's still available."

Thank you :)

Best wishes,

Don

@mofimadness Thank you for sharing your recommendation of Stephen at Talking Dog Transducers.  I just got off of the phone with him and had a really nice conversation with him.  He is a true gentleman, very knowledgeable and very enjoyable to talk with!

Best wishes,

Don

@classicrockfan   Hello and thank you for sharing your thoughts with us regarding the CEC and Jay's Audio.

Best wishes,

Don

@vthokie83 Hi!  I have not yet made a decision as of yet.  I had placed an order for a new LTA Aero Dac.  Back when I had ordered it, they they had thought it would take about 3-4 weeks.  However, they had a supply chain issue and it will still be another week or two yet before I receive it.

It comes with a 14 day trial period.  I want to hear how it performs in my system first before I decide on which transport I go with as it clearly sounds like the transport can have it's own sound personality.

I do believe it will be either the Jay's Audio CDT2MK3 ( not the CDT3MK3) or the CEC TL2N dual belt drive.

I will certainly update this thread once I decide on the transport and let you all know how it performs in my system.

Thank you and best wishes,

Don

@stuartk 👍

@vthokie83 

Hi,

When you had the opportunity to compare both the Jay’s Audio CDT2 and CDT3, do you happen to remember if an external clock was being used with either or both of the transports?

Thank you!

Don

@vthokie83 

Thank you for your reply!  That is very helpful to know. 
 

Best wishes to you!

Don

@vthokie83 

Hi,

Im really sorry, but it appears that I missed your post …”And have you made a decision, or bought something yet?”

I have bought a new LTA Aero Dac, but have not yet bought a dedicated CD transport yet.  I’m getting closer, but have been dealing with a lot of medical issues as of late which has been demanding of my time and attention.  
 

Best wishes,

Don

@vthokie83 

Hi,

I just wanted to take a quick moment to update you, as well as the other forum members, who so nicely contributed their thoughts and experiences in an effort to help me decide which CD Transport I should consider for upgrading the digital side of my audio system.

I've been dealing with a lot of health issues as of late, which has been demanding much of my time, energy and attention.  However, I had taken a look at the USAudiomart classifieds this afternoon and came across Jay's Audio CDT2Mk3 in mint condition, which included the Headquarter Audio Qstab CD Clamp, in the black finish (which I wanted to match the rest of my equipment) that was just listed.  

I couldn't believe the timing of this ad being posted right when I happened to be looking at the site.  I sent the seller a quick email to confirm the condition, etc and hit the buy button!  I normally buy new, but the savings looked attractive to me, especially considering the amount of money that I've been paying for recent medical expenses.  It just seemed like it was meant to be!

I'm looking forward to receiving it and hearing what it can add to my system.

A big thank you to you all, for taking the time to share all of your thoughts and experiences with me.

Best wishes to you all!

Don

Thank you, gentlemen!

@mesch @vthokie83 and to all the other forum members that have had interest in this thread.

So, a lot has transpired over the last couple of months. I guess I’ll just start at the beginning... Warning... I tend to get long winded (my wife often jokes that I should have been a preacher due to my gift of gab, lol).

So, after being devoted to vinyl for the last 50+ years, I have curated probably over 1,000 truly mint records (both in jazz and classical) that play without noise, pops or clicks. They have a full, rich, harmonically fleshed out sound with an excellent dynamic structure, but at the same time plays with a natural sense of ease and flow, without being etched or hard. Just truly wonderfully musical in every sense of the word.

However, I have come to know and understand that there is a great amount of music out there that is performed by some really talented musicians that I cannot obtain on vinyl and I don’t want to miss out on hearing it. So, my goal was to try and develop a digital side to my audio system what will engage my mind, my heart and my soul just as my vinyl does for me.

I figured the best way would be to invest in a separate dac and dedicated cd transport. Unfortunately though, I don’t have a huge budget for this endeavor. I’ve had many medical issues over the last several years which has cost me many thousands of dollars each and every year and sadly, I don’t really see that coming to an end anytime soon. So at the moment, I only had about $10,000 ( and was hoping to preferably spend less ) that I felt comfortable spending toward this project as I feel vinyl will likely still be my primary and preferred source.

So, I ended up buying a brand new Mojo Mystique X-24AM dac from Benjamin. Oh btw, the 24 simply stands for the year 2024. The "AM" stands for Amorphous Cores by the Swiss Company Lundahl who makes audiophile transformers and chokes.

I had given some thought to other dacs as well, but I would have to buy most of them on the used market and then there would be no return options available. I’d have put them up for sale and wait for a buyer; and who knows what kind of loss I’d take. I did originally purchase a new LTA Aero Dac and had it at home on a trial basis. It truly was an amazing dac with an unbelievable amount of what I would simply call a "purity of tone" with dynamics that is unforgettable! A must listen for those of you looking in the $4000 or above price range. Nicholas and Jacob from LTA are absolutely top notch gentleman and are wonderful to work with... highest of recommendations!

I decided to try the Mojo, because i have read that many people who appreciate vinyl playback seem to like what this dac does. That it plays music in a way that doesn’t sound hard or etched or thin or lean or "digital" in the bad sense of the word. I know that digital has the ability to sound really, really good. I just didn’t really know how much one would have to pay and if I could afford to pay for what is considered the really, really good sounding units.

This brand new Mojo was on sale with $1,000 off and it still cost me nearly $7700 including the shipping! Holy Crap; and I still had to buy a dedicated cd transport yet. Oh my Lord... what was I getting myself into, lol.

I’ve had the Mojo Dac running 24/7, with my cd player on repeat, since I’ve received it and now have over 500 hours on it. I am listening to it right now as I type this message and I am getting very excited as the sound has really opened up now and I am really liking what I’m hearing! (It actually really started to sing quite beautifully at around 150 hours - but amazingly, it somehow continues to keep sounding better and better!)

The sound is full; it’s rich; it’s organic; it’s dynamic; it’s got great tone; it’s got detail; it’s got bass; it’s got weight and density...I’m loving that when it plays the "note" that you hear the attack of the note, but it’s not hard or over emphasized. You hear the full harmonic structure of the note (the fullness of sound/ the meat on the bones); and you can hear the decay of the note (ie: ringing of the cymbals/ bells/ or the trailing off of a sustained piano note).

With the Mojo, it sounds dynamic without sounding hard. It plays in a relaxed and natural way without becoming fatiguing, but yet at the same time it still plays with speed, with dynamic expression and with emotion!

So, I recently ended up taking a look at USa’mart one day and just moments prior to me bringing up the site, a seller posted a used black (which goes very nicely with the rest of my gear) Jay’s Audio CDT2-MK3 dedicated cd transport for sale in like new condition which included the Headquarter Qstab bone cd clamp at a price that was attractive to me, so I bought it!

I couldn’t believe the timing of it getting listed moments before I decided to look at the ad’s! It almost felt like it was meant to be! I paid more for the Mojo than I had originally planned on paying for a dac, but I can honestly say that I’m glad I gave it a try as the Mojo, in my humble opinion, is worth every penny I paid for it. It’s got great tone, body, weight, timing, and dynamics without being forced. There is no glare, hardness or digital nasties. My wife actually comes into my music room and comments on how great it sounds. She often looks to see if I have a vinyl record spinning!!! That’s a huge compliment to the Mojo and is exactly what I was hoping for.

Now, with the Jay’s CD Transport, the sound has gotten even better in every respect. The Jay’s does indeed improve the sound very nicely. What I notice with the Jay’s in place is not only more foundation to the music, but also more wholeness to the music. The becomes even more full, weighty and dynamic. There is also at the same time more nuance; you also hear more into the soundstage, almost eerily so. There is more space, more ambient cues, more naturalism, just more of everything in a very good and musical way... Needless to say, I’m very happy right now with the digital side of my system!

I truly appreciate everyone taking the time to share their thoughts, experiences, and advice with me by posting to my thread. I just really wanted to take a moment to circle back and let you all know a little bit about my journey and where I landed.

Thank you for allowing me to indulge you all, with my excitement!

Best wishes to you all,

Don

@mesch Thank you, Mike for your well wishes...much appreciated!

I wanted to attach a pic of the Jay’s Audio transport and of my system in my above post, but I am so terribly technically challenged, that I failed, lol. However, I am not one to give up... so trying yet again After decades of being an audiophile, I think that I have finally reached my goal for my in-home listening pleasure.

Here is the Jay’s on the top shelf with the Mojo Mystique X-24AM Dac directly below it.

My Linn LP12 in custom Brazilian Rosewood Plinth, Naim Aro Tonearm, Benz Ruby Zebra Wood Bodied MC cartridge.

My custom EL84 amplifier with vintage iron from Pilot, utilizing NOS tubes from Mullard. My Single Ended 845 Triode power amplifier with NOS tubes to the right.

My Wavestream Kinetics Deluxe Reference Level 5.1 All Tube Phono Amp on the top shelf to the right. My First Sound Presence Audio dual mono tube line stage on bottom shelf middle.

My Dunlavy SC-IV Signature loudspeakers.

Thank you all for joining me in my home-audio journey!

Best wishes to you all,

Don

@oddiofyl  @mesch Thank you so much for the very nice compliments!

@facten Thank you for the compliment and also for your offer regarding the AES cable.  I will try and send you a PM over on WBF soon 

@acresverde Thank you for the compliment on my system!  I will try and send you a PM soon in an effort to answer your question.

Best wishes,

Don

@acresverde I have to apologize.  I have tried sending you a very detailed PM via this site, three times and now and it has failed each and every time.  I am so frustrated.

I am out of energy so I will condense it to simply say.... that in "my" system and within "my" room acoustics; the Mojo played more to what my sonic goals were.

Both dacs are incredible, as are both companies!  I have the highest respect and regard for both Nicholas and Jacob from LTA as well as for Ben at Mojo.  They truly care for their customers and want them to achieve the best sound possible, hence the reason that both companies encourage and provide an excellent trial period and return policy!

So at the end of the day, the Mojo gelled with my system the best.  In another system, I could easily see that the LTA Aero could win your heart!  They both are great pieces and are worthy of audition in your system, if you happen to be looking for a new dac.

I'm sorry that the PM system did not work for me.

Best wishes,

Don

@letch 

Thank you for the nice compliments!

Im sorry that you suffer from tinnitus; that must be frustrating and disappointing/discouraging for a music lover, such as yourself😞.
 

Im happy that you didn’t give up with this health challenge and have developed a system that allows you to enjoy your vast music collection 😊

I was torn between the CEC and JAY’s cd transports as both are very respected within the audiophile community.  
 

Im sure your CEC/Orchid source sounds absolutely beautiful and I hope you can continue enjoying it for many years to come!

Thank you for sharing!

Best wishes,

Don

@chayro  Hello, it's great to hear from you again!

I've still been really struggling with health issues.  Back in June I got hit very hard with Covid ( the very first time I have ever had it ).  It attacked my heart, lungs and kidneys.  I was in the hospital and I missed over 6 weeks of work.  I'm no longer contagious, but I still have trouble breathing... very fatigued, and the doctors still have not gotten my vitals regulated yet.  Therefore, I don't have the energy, strength or even the desire to insert/remove/re-insert gear to do a direct compare with the Naim CDSII/XPS.

However, just by going by memory... which can be difficult at times, I feel that the Jay's / Mojo combo simply blows the the big two box Naim set out of the water.

Back when I bought the Naim CDSII/XPS with all the special cables, etc.  It was a great player!  To the point that I even put in a new transport/laser mechanism and recapped the entire power supply ( done by authorized Naim service tech in Chicago ).  However, as great as that two box set was.... it never came close to sounding as good as my vinyl rig.  It never fooled me into thinking I wasn't listening to a silver disc.  Man, I paid a lot for that digital rig too, not to mention the huge cost I had paid for updating it again.

This Jay's/Mojo Audio Mystique X-24AM combo is simply amazing!  I am gobsmacked listening to it.  You put a well recored disc in and it simply blows me away with the rich, full, dynamic sound.  It's got soul, it's got drive, it's got emotion!  I am so glad that I stepped up and bought this rig and to me it is worth every penny I paid for it.  I love this combo so much that I bought a replacement drive/laser mechanism for the Jay's cd transport (which is user replaceable) as a reserve for the future and with the great support from Benjamin at Mojo Audio, I have no reason not to believe that this will be my last digital system.  I'm 60 now - so it should take me to my final curtain.

Best wishes,

Don

@chayro Thank you my friend, for the very kind words!

Best wishes to you this holiday season,

Don

@stuartk Thank you, Stuart!  You are very kind and I truly appreciate your prayers!  I've always believed that God is the Great Healer, the Great Physician and he simply works through our doctors and medical teams to heal us.

He has a plan for me... a plan that is much greater than I could ever come up with for myself.  I put my trust and my faith in Him.

Best wishes!

Don

@stuartk   Amen to that!  Music is always good for the soul 😊