@no_regrets
Like you I am dedicated to LP playback because of the level of energy and musicality delivered.
I have not heard the Jays but listened to the CEC TL5 in my system which gives a sweet analog musicality, yet I found it a little too relaxed, albeit, I could live with a CEC happily.
I own a Teac PD-H600 CD player which can be bought used for $300-400 (easily serviced). This sounds very good. Virtually the same good sound as the 2000GBP Audio Analogue AAdrive CD Transport from Italy, with nearly the same TEAC drive.
But to my ears, this, and for example, the favoured Project RS2t, unmodified, sounds too detailed, sharp and wearying for longer listening sessions (in my system).
I settled on a Sparkler Audio notebook 507T transport (from Japan, there is a dealer in Canada, VK Music) and after installation of a new clock and linear power supply (from Fidelity Audio, UK) CD’s sound about as close to analog as I could imagine. Harpsichord and piano and everything else sounds real, in deep, big space.
I suspect many well engineered machines benefit markedly from reclocking and optimised power supplies, shifting them from digital sound much closer to natural.
Good luck in your search