CEC modifications - do they work?????

I know that Francisco aka Psychicanimal had Dan Wright modify and maybe even cryo his CEC based belt drive transport. I know that he was very happy with it after that. From what i can recall, he had mentioned something about the unit lacking PRAT prior to the mods. Sean
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I have a TL2X which I had modified by Reference Audio Mods. Totally worth every penny.

Khaki:
Are you willing to share what you experienced in comparison to the before and after. I also have a TL2 and would be most interested in hearing you comparison.

Mo better all around. The bass was definitely better but the the whole thing was more musical and present. Takes a LONG time to break in.
I recommend speaking to Richard Kern if you have questions. He did my mods and was very helpful and knowledgeable.

Count me in too, mine's a TL-2X.

I have used a TL-1X and am confused by the "bass production estimated between 80-120 cycle" comment ... can you explain what you are trying to say?

Does it not go any lower than that frequency range?
Does it roll off quickly below that frequency range?
Does it have a suck-out in that frequency range?
Other?
Thanks!

Hi Ez2hear

I have used a TL-1X and am confused by the "bass production estimated between 80-120 cycle" comment ... can you explain what you are trying to say?

Does it not go any lower than that frequency range?

Sure, it goes lower and low enough...

Does it roll off quickly below that frequency range?

No...

Does it have a suck-out in that frequency range?

Well, bass is not good. It has some kind of a "one note bass" , not very precise. "Plummy" could be the right word maybe, however, it's hard to hear what's going on in the bass and this effect the presentation in lower midrange. On an acoustic bass, it can be hard to hear strings and wood seperated decent. On most recordings, I'll have to guess what happens in the bass area, though I most of time allready know the recordings.

The reason I ask about if this can be solved is that I love most of the rest of CEC's presentation. Sound is very very smooth, silent and it has great presentations of notes.

One more thing which are not that good, is it's quite soft presentation in the top end, which make cymbals not sound that real as reality.

I've heard many top end cd players like Wadia, Krell and Levinson. CEC is great value, redefining "high end" sound and in some terms as the midrange, I like it more than some other of these valued players.

With a decent bass reproduction, CEC would be in the top end for sure. I'm also pretty sure, that such would effect the soft top end giving more metal on symbals etc.

I most say that all written above is IMO though I have a friend who claims the same. Other users may have other opinions.

Thanks, Tadman

Other?
Thanks!

Tadman,
Are you presently using any vibration isolation products with your CEC? What you are describing at the frequency extremes was present in my Theta Jade and much improved by going to a different vibration Iso system.
Just a thought.
Scott

Hello Abbeydog

No, I do not do these kind of things, though I know that some has good experience with that kind of stuff. Most of stuffs weakness has to be found in the construction itself. Sometimes upgrades like better, resistors, capacitors, clocking, power supplies and more really helps performance. In the CEC case, my thoughts went to change the power supply with some other diodes and maybe a new clock. Lot of people claims to have succes with black gates, I never had this nirvana yet, so I'll not buy these costly capacitors.

Any thoughts are welcome.

Thanks, Tadman

Are you sure the problems you are recounting are the problem of the transport?

Dear Ez2hear

YES!!!! Read any review of the Burmester 001 and the reviewer will state the same. It's a common problem, however, belt driven transport still has great timing, texture and homogene presentation.

Thanks,

Richard Kern of Audiomod's modifications of my CEC TL-1X within the last few months have resulted in an astonishing increase in realism and presence, tighter, deeper bass, better soundtaging and imaging and all - around more enjoyment. Does take 50 - 100 hrs to burn in, but every day seems to bring further improvement. I was skeptical myself, but now am a true believer. If you can afford the coin, you will not be disappointed.

BTW, I use a Kimber Palladium cord on the transport (Elrods everywhere else, and Aurios under the transport. Rest of system: Dodson 217 MkII dac; Wyetech Opal pre; Krell FPB 300cx amp; Von Schweikert VR5 HSE speakers; Nordost Valhallas, PAD Dominus IC's and Ensemble spkr cables. All works for me!

Neal

Neal

Neal