What CD Transports Provide the Most Detail?

Search threads for mentions of CEC or Jay's.  Those are likely the other two competitive transports.

I burnt through thousands wanting to upgrade a couple of years ago. i tried a few popular dac transport combinations settling with a CEC T2LN transport which replaced a PS Audio Perfect Wave transport.
Being introduced to ripping using a custom server which was a 3rd of the price of the CEC transport it wasn’t difficult which I preferred sonically though I had help getting there I was finally enjoying digital playback more so then at any other time.
Two years ago I never considered transitioning away from using a transport and came very close ordering a Jays model 3 transport after chatting with a owner of that model . Overall performance and huge value for the money almost convinced me to bank wire Alvin the money .
However being introduced to a high quality server back then , ripping CDs ultimately changed my mind about using transports all together and with ultra convenience aside today I am much , much more satisfied with digital playback then at any other time.

Dsper I failed to answer your question, one of my listening biases is small scale details especially with uncompressed live recordings .

CEC TL-2 here also.  Best transport I've ever owned, (which has been a bunch).

CEC is the best I have heard

so how is the CEC PRAT?

My first impression of a CEC transport was listening to the TL2n bigger brother during a pick up of a online purchase of a unrelated item .
The following week I returned to the fellows home with some of my favourite disks and was enthralled with what I heard .
Though our systems were much different overall I much preferred what I heard . Long story short I convinced him to visited my home with his digital front end and that evening I put my 6 month old PS Audio memory player and dac senior up for sale.

Prat , music seemed to more engaging, blossom and flow with ease , with well recorded vocal’s and speaking voice I found to be more realistic sounding . Sound stage layering was larger on some recordings and much better presented .
The dual belt drives go a long way at reducing some of the inherent problems with direct drive mechanisms .

Coupled with a decent dac I’m sure this would be a leap forward .

mofimadness4,

Have you ever critically listened to any Esoteric transports and, if so, do you have an opinion about them?

liste

Not only have I owned a couple of Esoteric transports, I was a dealer for awhile.

The Esoterics are excellent.  VERY well built and sound great.

I know this is simplistic, but it's the easiest way to say it:

If you are a CD, (digital) kinda guy, the Esoteric would be my choice.  Fast, detailed, solid, but digital.

If you are an analog guy, (like me), the CEC just sounds right.  Open, smooth, romantic...like, well, analog.

Really, two pretty different transports.  You couldn't go wrong with either one.

I currently own a PS Audio P15 power regenerator, a DirectStream DAC and CD transport.  I had the PerfectWave transport before the DirectStream model was introduced, and I found the newer model was well worth the upgrade, especially since I own about 100 SACDs.

The DirectStream CD transport uses a disk handling part provided by Oppo, who decided to get out of the business of providing those sorts of assemblies, so Paul decided to bulk up on spares (to support future repair requests) and to stop making the DirectStream available for sale.  If you can snag one of these for a reasonable price, I suspect you'll enjoy the improvement.

In my case I have the transport connected to the DAC using the I2S interface (an HDMI cable), pairing the two units, so when it's playing an SACD, it outputs pure DSD to the DAC.  The sound quality for that, and "regular" CDs is fantastic!

Hey Dpser just in case you’re unaware the majority of members at least acknowledge with a simple thanks and move on of responses to their specific questions.
Then I read you kept asking basically the same question Lol , usually the next step if your serious at all is to take the advice and try said components in your own system .
You already got some solid advice before you posted this question here .
Jeesh ,.

Hey Dpser just in case you’re unaware the majority of members at least acknowledge with a simple thanks and move on of responses to their specific questions.

Then I read you kept asking basically the same question Lol , usually the next step if your serious at all is to take the advice and try said components in your own system .
You already got some solid advice before you posted this question here .
Jeesh ,.

+1...you are acting like we are trying to sell you something and making us work for the sale.  I really don't give a rat's ass what you buy.  Just trying to be helpful...

Well I have never heard good digital sound like good analog regardless of the transport used, but mofi makes a good point. To me the CEC was the equal in all PRAT related areas, but presented these aspects in a significantly a more organic fashion. There was a flow that was pretty remarkable that wasnt present in other transports. 

Sorry if I have offended anyone. Thanks for the advice. Dsper

2 years ago I had a chance to buy CEC TL5 demo unit on very good price but came across a magazine review they compare it to Simaudio moon 260D transport and found it better overall then the CEC so decided to buy the 260D and I don't regret it ,this transport has the most analog sound I ever heard from digital device( on this price level )it's like it doesn't have any sound signature on its own at all and just let the music flow on natural and effortless manner.

dsper
What CD Transports Provide the Most Detail?

One with the best sound will have the best output wave form, lowest jitter, and good error correction.
Looking output square wave (of one of mine), square as possible and no overshoots or rounding of leading or trailing edges.
https://ibb.co/cDcT5gg

Lampizator’s Mug shots.
Not distorted rubbish like this
http://lampizator.eu/LAMPIZATOR/TRANSPORT/IMG_5611.jpg

Or full of jitter like this
http://lampizator.eu/LAMPIZATOR/TRANSPORT/IMG_5608.jpg

or too rounded like this
http://lampizator.eu/LAMPIZATOR/TRANSPORT/toslinktrace.jpg

his best one he’s had
http://lampizator.eu/LAMPIZATOR/REFERENCES/Goldmund/IMG_6532.jpg



Cheers George

Hi George,

You have suggested the CXC before and it would seem it is worth a listen at $299.

Dsper

dsper,

The new version of the CXC, new being purely cosmetic change to the housing is $599; the original version, if you can find it new is $399.

BTW , I have the CXC is my main and 2nd system , music sounds just fine

Hi itzhack1969,

2 years ago I had a chance to buy CEC TL5 demo unit on very good price but came across a magazine review they compare it to Simaudio moon 260D transport and found it better overall then the CEC so decided to buy the 260D and I don't regret it

I almost pulled the trigger on a used Simaudio 260D but thought too long and lost the chance. 

I found a 2018 thread you had started and the various responses seemed to indicate that the Sinaudio is detailed without being analytical, which I think I want. 

Thanks for the input!

Dsper

Project recently came out with a $3K top-loader.  They're evidently still serious about this medium.  And it only reads Red Book.

Hi George,

You have suggested the CXC before and it would seem it is worth a listen at $299.

Dsper

Yes it's very good, the first wave form pic link in my post above is of it.

Cheers George 

CEC TL-1X. Gorgeous sound from CD's; beautiful looks; built like a tank.

CEC products are available through Audio Union in the US and Canada.