Jay’s Audio CD Transport

Here's mine

I'll be honest the Technics black I like more and the now LTA Aero metal finish is better IMO. Jay isn't bad by any stretch there just a couple manufacturers that do black metal better.

@no_regrets Yes the Aero doesn't upsample, the Jay CDT 3MK3 does, and the Aero just takes the digital (172.4kHz).

@no_regrets I've been moving gear around and was demoing CD players and transports, so the Jay CDT3/3 was there just because. It'll be too shelf eventually.

Speaking of transports the Teac VRDS 701 is stellar and I have the CG-10 clock and like it more then the Jay. DAC is excellent, preamp functions as well make it a better value.

The DAC200 is great and again preamp functions as well make it a great value all around, but I love above all else sound stage depth and expansive music rendering. The Aero (Tung Sol 1945 6SN7) is excellent. To my ears detail isn't lacking compared to the DAC200, but the sound is much "larger" front to back and side to side, and I'm not embellishing this when I listen to my headphones with the Z10E and Aero, I'm literally looking over my shoulder sometimes hearing an all encompassing and 3D soundstage like nothing else I've heard before. It's just incredible (Meze Empyrean 2 and pure silver cable). The Aero has a little less snap and immediacy compared to the DAC200, but I sold the DAC200 and the Aero is my dedicated headphone DAC.

I just got the Grimm MU2 and waiting the Matrix Audio MS-1. I have the Mola Tambaqui, which I love, but I'm really interested in DAC's as of lately it seems. I want to get my two systems flushed out and then maybe look for tube Monoblocks.

@no_regrets I haven't A/B'd them within the same system components, and I'm my listening 90% of the time listen to the Aero with the Z10E and headphones.

Secondly I've only used 6SN7 tubes, not the LTA 12SN7.

The Tambaqui is very different, and more discerning, but the one immediate compliment to the Aero is it's solidity, and weightly presentation. Notes have more heft and presence, and that comes across very well with the Aero.

I never set out to compare them, I did compare the Cen.Grand DSD Deluxe DAC closely to the Aero and I feel those 2 DAC's despite their FPGA vs R2R differences they're very similar and enjoyable (4k vs 6.5k).

CEN.Grand with a touch more detail, but the Aero with Tungsols 6SN7 much more space, depth and holographic presentation. I feel these qualities are easily more noticable, then say degrees of detail, and the wow factor comes a little quicker with the Aero, where the Cen.DSD is a very smooth and detailed DAC, that's a long slow burn. You might find yourself listening longer to the Cen, but raising your eyebrows more while you smile with the Aero.

Hope this helps.

@no_regrets nope have not tried them and I’m kinda in a holding pattern for DAC’s.

The Matrix MS-1 was a 3 month wait and honestly, I’m not inclined to wait that long. I just got my Grimm MU2, but sadly have had only limited time to sit down with it and when I have I’m just trying to navigate Roon, which is a task within a task.

I can see why people love the MU2 though, it’s midrange presentation is immaculate and even A/B testing it against the Tambaqui, I have to say this with trepidation... the Tambaqui seems a bit veiled compared to the MU2. But I couldn’t put my finger on why the Tambaqui sounded a touch more organic, and or dimensional.

Again these Are very early takes and no at all my final thoughts.

I plan on pairing the MU2 with the Canor Virtus M1 Monoblocks or maybe a Viva Solista MK3, but I’m leaning a little more towards the M1 for the 4 modes of operation and potential sound signature variability (ultralinear vs triode, +/- feedback).

I might... Probably won’t, but maybe would A/B the Gustard X30 against the Soulnote D2 considering they’re both quad ess chip DAC’s.