no_regrets
No there were no external clocks being used, the internal oven controlled crystal oscillators were used.
CEC Belt Drive CD Transports vs Jay's Audio CD Transports
Hello,
I currently have a new LTA Aero Dac on order. I have a feeling that I will be soon be ordering a new CD Transport to go with the new Dac and am trying to narrow down the options.
I am strongly considering either the Jay's CDT2MK3/CDT3MK3; but would also like to hear more about the CEC TL5 and the CEC TL-2N belt drive transports.
I'm curious if anyone has had the opportunity to compare CEC with the Jay's?
I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences - whether they be good or bad before I decide to pull the trigger.
Thank you and best wishes to you all!
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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 |
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 |
@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. 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. 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!) 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 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 |
You are very welcome. Thanks for the wonderful feedback! So sorry to hear for your health issues and hope things improve for you. I also found my Jay's CD2MK3 to make an improvement in my system. I haven't put many hours on it over summer since I purchased it in April, that will change over the winter months. Based on others experience I look forward to improvements with additional hours. Take care of yourself and let the music heal. Mike |
@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 |
@no_regrets That's a really tempting looking system you've got there. I'm just wondering...you were really complimentary of the LTA, so what does it lack that makes the more expensive MOJO the final choice? |
@no_regrets Don, really nice system . Enjoy the Mojo and Jay's. If you want to try the AES/EBU connection PM me over on WhatBestForum I have a Mojo AES/EBU cable that I'd be happy to send/give you if you like . WBF PM allows "freer" flow of contact info. |
@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 |
Nice to read your journey. I own the CEC TL-5 and ran across this thread and liked how you stayed on top of it and gave updates. A story all it's own. I bought the CEC TL-5 in 2020. Over the last few years, worsening tinnitus had me selling all of my equipment. As I was about to sell off my records, a friend convinced me to try another system, so I kept the CEC because I have twice as many CD's as LP's (6000 vs 3000) and I kept my DAC, the Mhdt Orchid. The CEC/Orchid combo had beaten all the players I've ever heard in my system and today, after getting a smaller, less revealing setup, I'm still happy with the performance. CD's sound less digital, still not as much headroom as LPs, but damn good to me. With my hearing woes, upgrading doesn't hold any value, but still interesting to read how it goes with others. Congrats! Unlike Bono, it sounds like you've found what you've been looking for. |
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 |