Differences the Project RS2 Transport and the (newest) Jay's Audio CD2 Mk 3

@charles1dad 

Will do as they will be in the same location for a few weeks at least though unlike the CDT2 the new unit won't have the hours on it. The units are going in two different houses in two different states in the end.  The CDT2 Mk3 will be paired with Spring 3 KTE or Aqua La Voce S3 while the CDT3 will be paired with the May KTE.

@lordmelton 

For me it's because I don't own any SACD's other than maybe a half dozen hybrids.  Secondly as a member of the PS Audio forum for six years some of software related quirks involving this transport took it out of consideration quickly.. Nothing like the problems with the DMP but again still software issues.   The better build quality of the Jays and the lack of software involvement made it an easy choice.  If Pro-ject could get their act together and start delivering inventory then I would also choose if over the PST.  If you're curious about the PST at that price take advantage of the trial period and you may get lucky and receive a "bug" fee unit. Not worth the risk of hassle for me and I own other PSA products.  

I agree with Charles in that if you want/need full DSD output and have the ability to take advantage of the I2S output give it a try. You’ll have 30 days to see if anything odd happens that bothers you. I'll also add that nobody on the forum that I have seen including the people that sent it back had anything but raves about the sound of the PST.  Some people especially some that went through the issues with the DMP were willing to do it again.

At this point in time it's kind of irrelevant as to which one is better than the other as  Jays is the only one who can actually deliver the product for purchase at least in the US.  According to several dealers I talked to they have RS2 T back orders from as far back as August that can't be filled.  I had one on order but when they missed two delivery dates and finally admitted that they had no idea when they would see them I moved on. Pro-ject USA which is actually just Sumiko ignored my e-mail inquiry altogether. I already owned the CDT2 Mk3 but just wanted to do the comparison for myself. 

@charles1dad 

I have no doubt that the Pro-ject is a great sounding unit though not as robustly built as the Jays and I was attempting to buy one to do the comparison.  In the process I have communicated with over a half a dozen fairly large volume dealers including AA, Underwood and The Music Room.  The same distributor, Sumiko, is promising them delivery times from May to July after missing the March delivery.  Very few of the Pro-ject owners have actually owned both units to have made a head to head comparison other than a reviewer whose gear taste I have had cause to question in several instances.  As it is instead of continuing to wait for the Pro-ject unit to show back up for use in a second system I went ahead and ordered the new CDT3 Mk3 and should have it in a couple of weeks per Alvin and Victor. If at some point the Pro-ject or another model shows up using the Stream Unlimited drive system I may still consider picking one up to try. 

Thanks Charles for now I'm having fun playing with different gear but sooner than later a thinning of the herd will have to happen. 

No hum on mine why do you ask

@snopro 

I ordered on the 12th and was told 7-10 business days plus shipping. The CDT2 will be broken in and the CDT3 right out of the box so it will take a while before they are anywhere close to on equal footing.  I will however give initial impressions.  The first review came out over the weekend in High Fidelity from Poland.  The translation made it hard to follow plus it was dual review of the CDT3 and the new DAC.  His point of comparison for the CDT3 was his $23,000 Ayon spinner.