Jay's Audio transport

teajay started a thread about Jay’s Audio CDT2 MK2 transport on the digital sub-forum here:
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/if-you-still-spin-cd-s-their-is-a-reference-level-transport-f...

Your concerns are understandable but not easily resolved. I think 6moons overview of the owner and company make it pretty clear where they stand as far as longevity. Mr. Ho has been building his current business for ten years. However, the Chinese business community isn't open to the same degree of scrutiny that companies the US and Europe are. You're taking a leap of faith to some degree. The much lower price point of Chinese manufacturing comes with benefits and risks to the consumer. If the consumer wants greater certainty of longevity in a company, that comes at a higher price. 

I have one coming, ordered last night. Really looking forward to it. I went with the CDT2 since the transport and laser are still in production compared with the CDT3, and it looks as though maintenance in that area was designed to be very simple indeed, when necessary.

My reasoning for choosing them, beyond the glowing reviews, is that if no one takes a shot on new or up and coming products, how will they survive in the market? If it is half as good as everyone is saying it is, it will sell very well. There are some other brands Mike is carrying which I have interest in as well, namely Kinki Studios.

Hi toddrhodes thanks for your input. I did a little research on the subject you were speaking of regarding the Philips CDM4 transport used in the Jay's Audio transport. Unfortunately that transport is no longer in production. The likely hood of a premature failure is highly unlikely, however I'm not risking $2200.00 if in the event 5 years down the road it does fail. I will have a$2200.00 boat anchor so I have scratched the Jay's Audio off my list.
Mark

Is it not possible for a model replacement transport to be dropped into a machine such as this, IF there is a transport failure? 

Funny you should ask that jriggy! I have a email into Vishine asking that question. I'm in the mechanical repair industry so cannot speak intelligently with regards to using another transport. But from what I see in my experience is these manufactures could care less about about servicing after the sale. Just my opinion.
Mark

jriggy, read the review of the Jay's Audio CDT over at 6moons.com. Sarjan goes to great lengths to explain the design philosophy behind the unit and the ease of replacing the transport should anything go wrong.

All the best,
Nonoise

nonoise,I just read that review. Unless there is another one that is longer than the one I just read on my phone. I saw were Sarjen made no mention and the ease of replacing the transport. If you have that can you put it on this thread so I can see it please? If that is the case then I may reconsider.
Thanks Mark

markum01,
Here, hopefully, is the page (#6) of the review that states it:
https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/jaysaudio/6/

All the best,
Nonoise

markum01, according to Mike Powell (Jay’s Audio US distributor), the replacement laser is $150 complete while the entire CDM4 assembly with laser is $350 complete. The prices are for ordering non-warranty parts that didn’t fail during the warranty period (otherwise, the parts are free if they fail during the warranty period). 

Celander thanks for your input I understand that I can still purchase another spare for that fateful day. Or wait for it to fail 10 years from now only to find that there are no more to be had.
Happy Listening
Mark

I ordered a CDT-2 mk2 last Friday and look forward to hearing it in my system. It will replace a CEC TL-5. I have high hopes for it. This will be my first foray into the Chinese audio market and by all reports its a very solid product, so I'm taking the plunge. 

I wouldn’t have investigated the parts price if it were not for GeorgeHiFi raising a scare in us on the NuPrime CDT-8 Pro transport thread that Tweak1 started (https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/is-the-nuprime-cdt-9-pro-a-best-kept-secret).

Not sure how easy replacing the laser part would be, but the entire CDM4 assembly seems easy to accomplish based on what said in the 6Moons review.

Congrats, mac! It’s a great transport! It really adds a lot to my enjoyment of CD playback. I summarized my thoughts in teajay’s thread about the transport.

I recall reading that the assembly has a longer lifespan than the CDPro2, uses real glass for the laser, is more musical, and reads better as well. 

For those reasons alone, I wouldn't worry. 👍 The laser assembly can be had at eBay for about $40: https://www.ebay.com/itm/CDM4-19-Black-Optical-Pick-Up-Laser-Lens-Mechanism-Replacement-Parts-pk/173581374193?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908105057%26meid%3D3dd7ed046c7c46f08f09b561006e5831%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D15%26sd%3D182741835242%26itm%3D173581374193&_trksid=p2481888.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3A4383ff8a-f4fc-11e8-b59d-74dbd1807e9f%7Cparentrq%3A671205741670ac801cdb8117fffeb6fe%7Ciid%3A1
I think I could even do it, myself. 😄

All the best,
Nonoise

Thanks nonoise ! Maybe I will reconsider I intend demoing a Simaudio 260D and a Rega Saturn R before I make my final decision.
Mark

Thanks for that eBay lead regarding the laser mech, Nonoise. I saw a similar lead GeorgeHiFi posted on Tweak1’s thread. I need check my local eBay site for it. 

Just a heads-up.
Jays products, sold as "new" on e-Bay, through Doukmall or Nobsound; DO NOT come with a manufactures warranty. You can read the disclaimer on the Jays website (for instance, if you look at the CDT-2 MK2 under "products").

Here is an answer direct from Jays:
"No sir. Nobsound & Doukmal are parallel exporters. Product sold by them are considered gray-market item, doesn't cover with our warranty term.
You may approach them for warranty & service matters. I hope they can support you further."

Just providing this if warranty coverage is important to you.

Tim

I did a little research on the subject you were speaking of regarding the Philips CDM4 transport used in the Jay’s Audio transport. Unfortunately that transport is no longer in production.

Definately a reason not to blow $2200 on it. Get the $600aud Cambridge CXC transport, and you can get a new laser from the corner shop for $40 should you ever need one.
https://www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/cambridge_cxc_e.html

Cheers George

Incorrect - I just bought one.  A little over $40.  If the original lasts as long as all my other laser assemblies have ladted, I'll never need the back up.  Nevertheless, it's good to have.

Tim

It's funny how this thread has resurrected from when I first started it. Thanks for everyone's feedback so far. The US rep that I will not mention will be at Axpona this upcoming weekend is not going to display the Jay's Audio transport.I was kinda hoping he would.He has his own business in the industry and made it quiet clear to me that he is promoting his own business not Jay's Audio. I guess for me it's pretty clear to search elsewhere for a replacement transport.
Happy Listening
Mark

I can relate and possibly accurately imagine how that was made ‘quite clear’ to you. I’ve been on the other end of one of those before.  
Jay’s now has their own international online ‘store’ and  last I checked the “US rep” did not have the CD2 (or any Jay’s) on his website. 

heads up, when i got my jays transport it did not come with an owner's manual.  i thought something was wrong as it would not read cds, the problem was there is a piece of foam placed beside the laser assembly to stop it from moving during shipping, just pull it out.

Yep, no manual nor power cord. Definitely went cheap on this rollout.

Same with Denafrips DACs—no cord or manual. That’s ok. Whatever little incidental things like this that helps keep the price down and performance up like they are is ok IMO.

Bad grammar alert 🚨

Yep, no manual or power cord.

^^^^

Who is this moron?

Along with buying a replacement CDM4 /19 I also decided to purchase a back-up disc clamp.  To me, the clamp looks like something I could accidentally drop, sit on, or misplace.  I ended up buying the clamp directly from Jays Audio and Vinshine is sending it.  
Since I was in comunication with Jays I thought I would verify the info for myself, so I asked:

"Thanks for the quick shipping of the clamping disc.
Could you please answer a question. Many potential buyers are afraid the CDM4 laser might break down, at some point, and the buyer won't be able to find a replacement. Because this could be a possibility I purchased a CDM4 /19 replacement laser - just in case.
Did I buy the correct model CDM4? If not, what is the correct model?

Thank you again,
Tim"

The answer from Jays

"Hi Tim,
You're most welcome. The CDM4/19 is the correct laser for CDT2-MK2 :)"


I used the link nonoise supplied in his post above - dated Nov 30, 2018.  My cost with shipping came to $43.58.

@garrard, meet Geoff. Now you understand why he has over 14,000 posts in the Forum. He’s always educating folks. 

@toolbox419: Thank you for your recent post. Great info to have!

celander, I thought he was referring to you. My bad.

I do like what I am reading on this transport and it is a thing of beauty, but why would this transport (or any transport) be better than a decent cd or dvd player with a good drive to read the discs then send that to a good dac? As the transport is feeding a digital signal of 0s and 1s and as long as these are fed correctly to the DAC - and given there is no conversion to analogue - surely it is the dac that is the determining factor? 

Hey adameos,

Your question has been answered numerous times before.  Different transports can and do effect the sound, sometimes for the better or the worse.  Read Srajan's Six Moon review on this transport, along with my comments in the review for details/explanation regarding your question.

Adameos, 

do some searches. But everything maters in this game, just choose how far ya wanna go with your $$. Jitter, RFI, EMI, power line noise, parts quality, etc. it ALL makes an audible difference in a good system.