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

I've had my TL-2 for 7-8 years and have never had to replace the belts.  I did buy a spare set, just in case, and they were less than $10 each.

If repair is needed, I recommend Stephen Sank from Talking Dog Transducers.  He is really, really good!

Take a look at the Pro-Ject CDT RS2 transport.  Add a Linear Tube Audio linear power supply to go with it.  Incredible sound and performance.

I have not heard either CEC transports but will state that I am very happy with my Jay's CD2MK3.   Well built, easy to use, and an across the board improvement to the Cambridge CXC transport.

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.

No problem , good luck to you!

@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

No_regrets, it is silver

@no_regrets - don’t have the TL2, but TL5 estimates the belt life as 5 years and Atelier13 threw in a spare at no charge. The TL5 has an easily replaceable belt, but I don’t know if the TL2 is the same. I suggest you call Constantin at Atelier13 and he can answer your questions. The price of a new belt for the TL5 is $100. Yes that is a lot for a little belt, but that’s what it costs. 

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

Thank you 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

Hi no_regrets, 

I have a Jay’s CDT2 Mk.3  transport.  It is a great sounding unit and is built like a tank!  Never compared it to a CEC. I don’t use it anymore went to a Grimm MU1 streamer at 5 to 6x the price. The Grimm is better but it doesn’t blow away the Jays transport. I kept it as a backup but, would be willing to sell it for a good price.

It is in excellent condition and I bought an extra NOS transport mechanism which I will include.

Joe

I was debating between Jays and the Project CD Box RS2 T, and decided on the RS2….for now.

@kennyc Not sure if you’ve seen but the RS2 has had more than its share of reliability issues.  Might wanna add this Shanling ET3 to your list as it’s getting some good buzz and like the Jays even offers an i2S output, which is pretty nice for this price.  Someone on this Shenzen site found it to be very close in performance to the Jays CD3, which says a lot but no clue on its reliability.  FWIW.

https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/shanling-et3-cd-player

I wouldn't trade my CEC TL-2 for anything...well, maybe a CEC TL-Zero!

@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

@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

@no_regrets

not trying to go off topic or to muddy the waters, but you may find other options useful:

• 1.3 Yamaha CD-S1000
• 2.0 Rotel CD6000T
• 2.1 LUMIN U1 mini
• 2.5 Jay’s Audio CDT2-MK3
• -2.7 Teac 701T
• 3.2 Soundaware D300REF Transport
• -3.2 Project CD Box RS2 T

I haven’t decided on adding a transport to my digital chain, so I compiled a list of positively reviewed transports. Prices not current.

I was debating between Jays and the Project CD Box RS2 T, and decided on the RS2….for now.

@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

No experience with Jay's but have owned a CEC since the North American distributor was in Canada. I've used it off and on for years with no problems. Would describe it as "smooth" "relaxed". Too smooth? Would depend on your system.

@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

@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

@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

@facten 

You won't get it until you do some actual research on what effects it has on all power all supplies- INCLUDING CD PLAYERS/TRANSPORTS

TRICK:  you can buy a new CEC TL-5 for a Grand from Japanese companies.....it's 100 Volts....not 110 volts. Secret:  it works just fine.....I've had mine for 2 years now and I love the Top Loader because I can put weights and stabilizers on top of the cd's...Big Sound Improvement !   My Electrician friend said 100V. works fine into 110 outlet.

no_regrets

I've never heard a CEC transport, so I'm no help there.

I have however compared the Jay's CDT-2 MKIII to the CDT-3 MKIII in an extended comparison with a couple of friends. I personally would not spend double the price for the CDT-3, and in fact for period of the comparison there were times (most of the time actually) where we could tell little difference between the two. That said, they are both BRILLIANT CD transports. Another thing to consider is that the Jay's transports have an I2S output, which the CEC units do not.

Best of luck, and let us know what you decide

And there it is. 

@tweak1 Do tell what is this vast experience that you think I am lacking vis a vis you? I utilize tweaks in my systems if you care to look so while I haven’t used Snubway I don’t dispute its efficacy. My point was that the thread is about transports so you’re off topic as the Snubway has nothing to do with the direct assessment of different transports. Understand now?

@facten 

Obviously you haven't had the experience I have

@tweak1 Introducing the Snubway into the picture has nothing to do with the topic of this thread, or the performance of any transport for that matter.

Over some 10 - 20 years ago I had a CEC belt drive. Belt replacement was frequent and expensive from CEC. I found the same size from a on line O ring company. Ive owned quite a few CD player/transports since then including 2 Raysonics 168/228. For the last 2+ years I had a Audiolab CDT6000 Nice used ~ $350, but about a year ago I read a AG thread about the Shanling ET3 and began researching it. Recently I found a used one on Amazon from recognized factory dealer, and noticed Prime has a 6 month no interest payment deal so I pulled the trigger. Within 20 hours there was no comparison to the 6000, but wait there’s more which gets to another part of this thread: power supplies, Enter Vera-Fi Audio LLC Snubway Noise Defender $295, with excellent customer comments, from people with very nice systems and high quality power conditioners. I have a 20 amp dedicated line + a Core Power 1800 PLC, but the Subway took my system to a whole new place. Several customers also added the Master Class Line Conditioner and some the Snub Station $599 IMO/E Shanling has rewritten what can be expected form < $1000 transports, but the icing for me was adding the Snubway

In my system my Melco CD transport thru the Melco N50 server into a heavily modded Teac NT-505 dac sounds better than the Melco N50 server thru the same dac.  Both sound better than Qobuz streaming through the same DAC.  If I gave them number ratings it would be 95, 92, 89.  All three sound really good but listeng to the same songs on these three ways of reproducing sonics is revealing.

I was playing Gaucho SACD by steely Dan .This is a copy I just received from Acoustic sounds. Playing with my Marantz SA 10 sacd player. It sounds musically amazing. I ask myself if I go streaming? How much do I spend to buy streamer and dac to beat my sa10 performance?

Bigkidz, I agree on you Cary 306 SACd  tube player. I used to have Sony 9000es tube sacd player , modified by Modwright. I love it. Gave up after 10yrs.I have 2 Raysonic tube cd players the 128 and 268..Iam using reflector tubes.They sound amazing.To upgrade Cary 306 including laser approximately how much Peter?

@whipsaw - they sound different because of the design and parts used.

Understand that power supply is where most of the sound comes from.  If it can filter the noise of the AC, then you get a blacker background, faster transits, more detail, better control of soft to loud and loud to soft speed, etc.  Transformers is where most of this begins.  Then there are capacitors and resistors.  Read up on Audio Note non-magnetic ones and understand why they sound different.  Came goes for capacitors,  Why would V-Cap, Dueland, Milflex all sound different,  Ten you will begin to understand what makes sound.

Happy Listening.  

I have been using a CEC TL5 for some time, and find it to be solid, and very well-designed. It sounds excellent in my system. Customer service is excellent (I swapped remotes). The fact that the belt can be replaced easily is also a big plus, in my view.

I am not typically a "skeptic" (e.g. I use good cables, etc.), but frankly have a difficult time understanding how two high-quality transports would "sound different".

@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

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

Best wishes,

Don

@no_regrets - no, I meant between the CDS and the preamp. But I looked at your system again and I see you’re not using a Naim preamp. I had the 252/supercap and the combination was outstanding. Perhaps the LTA will be a better match for your system. 

@no-regrets The CEC & Jays sound different.  It has been a long time but here is my input. I was not a big fan of the CEC TL5 transport.  My friend has an older CEC 5100(model) that he preferred for being more musical it that helps you.  The TL-2 newer models not discontinued was an excellent transport.  It bested my older Metronome 2 chassis transport with better details and dynamics in direct comparison.  The Metronome was more musical than the Jays #2 model  The model 3 is a little better than the model 2 a little more open, better dynamics and soundstage.  If you prefer a more relaxed musical sound lean towards the CEC.  A little more of what I would describe as a SS sound, then lean towards the Jays.  One of the best cheap transports was the tiny Nano.  Not sure if it is even manufactured any longer but that little thing blew us away.  Or purchased a used Cary 306 S SACD and send in in for upgrade.  We upgraded two of them and they blew most things we have tried away no contest.

Happy Listening

@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 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

This topic was already covered  I will not repeat the comparisons.  I will say that a really good transport and DAC to my ears always sounds better than a streamer, etc.  But not a record.  But there are several streamers that are just so good that unless you do direct comparisons most won't know the difference.  Plus spending funds in other areas can provide better results.

Happy Listening.  

I am thinking of the Shanling ET3 for my second system.    It would be a perfect fit

@no_regrets - as an aside, are you using the Naim HiLine IC with the CDS?  It is night and day over the gray standard IC. 

@no_regrets - others may disagree, but I really don’t think Redbook 16/44 has improved since the CDS days. You can buy very good Redbook dacs for less money than before, but IMO, the CDS, 555, Wadia, Vekian and a few others were exceptional. But I’m sure the LTA will sound great and the tubes may give it some warmth you may prefer to the CDS. I’m sure you will enjoy trying. 

@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

@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

@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