CD Transport

Since you believe that CD transports sound different nothing I say will convince you otherwise. Therefore buy the least expensive of the three.

@leog2015 

There is a detailed write-up about the TEAC on this A'Gon discussion thread.

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/resolving-cd-transports-crowd-sourcing

I'm also interested in the TEAC 701T, but I haven't auditioned it because it's my understanding that it's not in inventory. Have you found a dealer with one in stock?

David

Schiit introduced one as well.   They claim it is not a re-boxed computer DVD drive suggesting some others are. 

I  put everything in FLAC as I ran out of shelf space for disks. Easier. So my PC DVD is my drive.  No issues with stability, skips, re-reads, clocking or even magic.  The OS and data transport layer take care of that. 

For longevity I suggest a top loader.

Did you know that Bricasti just released the M19 SACD transport that will work with your M1 S2? it is not inexpensive at $10K list but will match aesthetically and supports SACD and CD. Just thought I would share since this is pretty new news.

I have not heard the unit yet. Just am aware that it has been announced.  BTW, the reason I know is that I am a Bricasti dealer

For those who feel CD transports do not sound different, I invite you to our listening room where we have Audiomeca Mephisto II,  Metronome, Marantz, Cary, and a bunch of streamers to compare with your own ears.

You are limiting your search to CD Transports when there are CDPs that also have digital outputs that you can use.  For instance the Marantz model 94.  Old but one of the best sounding stand alone CDPs which can also be used as a transport.  There are so many pieces to consider but most importantly get one and have it modified especially in the power supply and you will elevate the performance tremendously.

Happy Listening.  

@bigkidz 

For those who feel CD transports do not sound different, I invite you to our listening room where we have Audiomeca Mephisto II,  Metronome, Marantz, Cary, and a bunch of streamers to compare with your own ears.

I don't believe the dogmatic "All transports sound the same" types would accept your generous invitation to listen to the excellent choices you have. They're too bias and rigid in their mindset. Negative confirmation bias on display.

Charles

New options: Simaudio 260 and Nuprime CDT-10…-

Jay's strangely absent in this discussion. Fantastic top loader.

I have the Primare CD35 which I believe has the same transport as the DD35 and it's terrific...I had serious problems with 2 Sim CD player transports, though Sim service was great though not cheap...also problems with Nuprime transport and Nuprime service was non existent...

also problems with Nuprime transport and Nuprime service was non existent...

Yeah, I’ve seen others say the same thing about NuPrime’s nonexistent customer service that is inexcusable and would definitely make it a no go for me especially as there are several other viable options from companies who actually care about their customers.  Plus, I’ll never buy another product from a company that doesn’t support its products — looking at you iFi.

@bigkidz 

For those who feel CD transports do not sound different, I invite you to our listening room where we have Audiomeca Mephisto II,  Metronome, Marantz, Cary, and a bunch of streamers to compare with your own ears.

The crowd you're addressing is adamantly opposed to utilizing using those odd cartilaginous formations on either side of their heads for anything other than keeping their glasses from falling off their faces. If you ever read through threads on ASR, you'll encounter a cockiness and pervasive disdain for anyone who does not belong to their "hearing is not believing" cult. Clearly, these folks have a huge amount of emotional investment in the sense of superiority they derive from membership. 

There’s a new, in box Esoteric SA-60 for sale on A’gon for $2,698: Esoteric SA-60

Its DAC is now outdated but it would still make for a killer CD transport.

I have an Esoteric DV-50S connecting into a Denafrips Venus II DAC for CD playback. Esoterics are built like tanks.

@leog2015

Out of all the things you listed above I would think the Teac one will be best since Teac and Esoteric make one of the best if not the best disc transports in the world within their price ranges respectively. I know for sure the Esoteric made the absolute best disc (CD & SACD) transports. Teac owns Esoteric and the latter is basically the high end line of former. it’s kinda like Toyota and Lexus with Teac being Toyota and Esoteric being Lexus.

However, like verdantaudio has pointed out above that Bricasti has recently released the M9 CD/SACD transport to match with and to go with your Bricasti M1 S2 DAC. So, that being said the Bricasti disc transport will be your best option for your Bricasti DAC and will yield the best sonic quality for your DAC.

I’ve couldn’t  find any sacd/cd transport in Bricasti’s web page… Do you have any info about this new unit?

@leog2015 yes it's not there yet but we are also a Bricasti dealer and if you would like more info please PM us. We are located 30 minutes from the Bricasti factory.

Steve

(Dealer disclaimer)

I agree with baylinor. I have the Jay's Audio Cdt2 MK2. It's a great top loader. very simple design, dual mono and balanced output.

@baylinor 

Jay's strangely absent in this discussion. Fantastic top loader.

The Jay’s Audio gets mucho praise on this forum (A quick search confirms that). The OP mentioned the 3 specific CD transport choices he’s interested in. But yes I like a good quality top loading CD transport as well. Simpler and very effective.
Charles 

@2psyop 

@charles1dad 

Additionally I purchased a spare Phillips CDM4 mechanism from them and at 69 I feel that I will be set for life with this beauty. I honestly feel it would be a disservice not to consider it. And at under 3k to boot. Jay's and Gustard are two products from China I can buy without any reservation. And I get it, the 3 units the OP mentions are from USA, England and Japan. Maybe China is a turn-off. However sound and value are the two main components in my equipment decisions. Plus Jay's service is outstanding.

I have a CEC on the way. There are a lot of choices and very difficult to compare them side by side. I like the ergonomics of the unit and the fact that it is a time-tested design with US service.

The thing I truly enjoy with the Jay's cdt2-mk3 is the I2s connection which is a match for the Gustard X26 PRO.  It easily surpasses the AES connection in clarity and overall imaging. Bigger and clearer sound. And the AES is no slouch. But in all honesty, the I2s connection really blossomed once I bought the Tubulus Concentus cable. Lesser cables did not do it justice. I wonder what jasonborne would have to say about that.

@chayro 

I have a CEC on the way. There are a lot of choices and very difficult to compare them side by side. I like the ergonomics of the unit and the fact that it is a time-tested design with US service

A friend of mine had an upper level TL2 for a number of years.

It is a high-quality CD transport and from my observation quite reliable. He did have to change the drive belt from time to time as they tend to stretch after awhile. It is also a well-built top loading unit as well. There are definitely very good options available for those who continue to greatly enjoy the physical media CD.

Charles

@charles1dad - CEC estimates the belt life as 5 years, which of course depends on use. They do go on to say that it’s not necessary to change the belt after 5 years if it all sounds right. I have a strong feeling that belt will be the least of my worries in 5 years. 

@chayro 

👍

260d needed new transport after less than 2 years. 230d needed transport repair. These were a few years ago

@leog2015 - the nu[prime was just OK.  The Sim was good but there were better older units that out performed it but it was still very nice.

The CEC units are very good.  I did not prefer the TL5 as much.  The model 2 with the 2 belt system was very good.  I compared the Jays II to the old  Metronome T1A & AL2 CD Transport & Power Supply we own.  The Jays was more forward sounding and more detailed.  The Metronome showing its age was much more musical and that is the sound I prefer in our systems.  I have not heard the Jays III transport.  As a manufacturer and repair place, we modify a lot of CDPs and once modified you get really close to a reference player and most have a  digital output.  We prefer that option over spending too much on a transport.  The ones I have were ones we purchased broken, purchased cheap and then repaired them.  We just finished an old HK CDP and it sounds fantastic.  The old Marantz model 94 CDPs sound excellent to this day and can be used as a transport.  Once modified (upgraded) they are very heard to beat IMO.  A number of years back there was a tiny Nano CD transport and for $600 it was a killer unit.  Have not seen any around in years but they were mind blowing for the price.

Happy Listening.

Have the Sim260D, originally in my main system now in my 2nd. No operating problems and using the AES/EBU output takes its SQ performance beyond the SPDIF

Just following up for anyone interested in the CEC TL5. I received mine today and it is very nicely made with a well-damped chassis and everything feels commensurate with the price. Yes I know they are selling them on EBay for $1000, but I chose not to go that route. Audio Union is the distributor, but sales are now through a few dealers. I bought mine from Atelier 13 Audio in Nashville and I dealt with Constantin, who was extremely professional. 3 weeks from order to delivery as promised. I can’t comment on the sound compared to my CXC as it’s too new and I’m breaking in a new dac, so it’s really impossible to know what’s causing what. In any case, the TL5 is very nice. I’m sure the next model up for double the price is even nicer, but that’s the way things go sometimes. 

Are you selling your TL5?

@chayro 

Congratulations!!

I hope it serves you well for many years.

Charles 

@leog2015 - selling?  No, I just got it. I was just posting my initial impressions for anyone in the market for a TL5. 

jasonbourne71

545 posts

10-09-2023 at 05:12am 

Since you believe that CD transports sound different nothing I say will convince you otherwise. Therefore buy the least expensive of the three.

Forget it. Common sense is always frowned upon here.

I have a Jay's CD3 MK III and I have a Teac 701 on order with Music Direct. Recently they told me that the Teac will ship in November. Before the Jay's I ran a PS Audio PerfectWave Transport. I have also had several CD players, my current one being a Marantz KI Ruby and before that I had a Marantz SA 8005.

My primary advice regarding transports is to choose a brand that specifically identifies the manufacturer and model of the drive itself. Then research the reliability of that drive. If the Transport maker is coy about which drive they use then I would avoid them. I came to this lesson from my experience with PSA where they used a $15 cheapo computer drive in their $4000 transport. After going through three drives they quit supporting the unit and wouldn't assist me with replacing the drive myself. BTW, any drive adapted from a computer application is unfit for a CD player. Computer drives are designed to spin up, read data, then spin down. They are not designed to spin CDs for hour after hour.

Marantz makes their own CD drives but for some reason they don't make a transport. One option I would consider would be to get a used Marantz player such as a model from the 8000 series and use that as a transport. I've had 3 Marantz CD players over the years and they have been 100% reliable. You will likely get a better transport for less money with a Marantz player than if you bought the Audiolab or Primare. Teac obviously makes their own transports and the 701 should be an excellent unit.

FWIW I have compared the sound of my Jay's transport with my KI Ruby used as a transport and they sound virtually identical through my Berkeley Reference Series 2 MQA DAC. I doubt I could identify them in a blind test. I think transports are likely to sound very similar so other factors will weigh in on the decision. Reliability, ease of use, form factor, and pride of ownership should mostly drive the decision.

The K1 Ruby has the same transport as the SA10?

I’m also considering a used CEC TL2N, opinion?

Here's an interesting article by Arthur Salvatore to the effect that the transport is more important to the overall presentation than the dac.  A minority view to be sure, but make of it what you will. 

http://www.high-endaudio.com/RC-Digital.html#2011

@leog2015 - I would definitely check with Audio Union before buying an expensive used CEC product.  I would give them the serial number to make sure it can be serviced if necessary.  I have never heard one, but the TL2N looks like a beautiful unit and I believe you can even add some type of outboard clock if you want.  

Tried to contact Audio Union, and it seems like they don’t have units in stock…

@leog2015  I believe Audio Union doesn’t sell anymore. They just distribute and repair. As I said above, I had a very good experience with Constantin at Atelier 13 Audio and I know they have the TL2. Maybe not in stock, as I think they order from Japan. But check if you’re so inclined.

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the Yahama CD-1000 SACD.  Over the years several reviewers have praised the build quality of it's structure.  For $1300 new or less used, it might be worth considering.  This is especially true if you buy it new with a free return policy.

Yamaha has a bad publicity… too many complaints about reliability…

My stronger options right now are:

Jays CDT3 MK3

CEC TL2N

Marantz SA10

And maybe the Primare DD35, not so sure…

Since you already own the Bricasti dac just curious why not their new transport?

$10K?…out of my budget.

@leog2015 

$10K?…out of my budget

Understood. I think that the 3 transports on your list are excellent choices to ponder. Do you have a preference for top loading versus tray loading CD mechanisms?

Charles

Top loader is my preference.

Just for the curious, here's some shots of the innards of the Teac 701T

I thought it would look like other CDTs out there with lots of empty real estate but boy, was I wrong. This looks like the real deal.

All the best,
Nonoise

That’s the Teac transport or the player???

The Jays is a beautiful product but it’s huge and weighs almost 50 pounds. I couldn’t swing that. It’s definitely an issue for some. The CD2 weighs about 33 pounds which is no lightweight either. The TL5 is 18 pounds and the TL2N at about 26 pounds.  

I went back to double check and the only thing in English on those shots read: 701/701T so it must be the CDP and not the CDT. My bad.

I read on another site that the CDT uses two transformers and not three, like in the CDP. 

All the best,
Nonoise