Looking for a cd transport in the 5k range: Jay’s Audio CDT3 MK3 or Pro-Ject RS2T?

SMSL has a transport (not a "player", but they build one of those also) that might interest you. $500, if you can stomach the low price.

Roxy1927 sorry for this delayed response. 2k and 5k transport will sound different, you can hear the difference but is not always better..I like separate because I can choose my preferred DAC. I believe the TEAC 701 transport is a safe bet for 2k. Iam not recommending it because I have not heard it. I would rather spend my 5k on DAC and audition the TEAC .Will the TEAC equal the sound quality of 5k transport ? Maybe..

OP remember I have been in this hobby more than 35 yrs now. I have proven expensive does not always mean better.

Thanks. There seems to be a lot of difference of opinion concerning Jay’s audio CDT2 MKlll versus the CDT3 MKlll. The CDT2 is half the price at $2,500. People say they sound the same, others slight difference and  others appreciable difference which to form your own opinion requires a couple of months audition of each component in your home system.

My current SMSL which gets the highest praise everywhere I got for $500 off of Amazon. I’ve had it a few months now and it initially sounded as good as everyone said. Now after time I’m finding it a bit harsh and lacking the ultimate in the refinement and resolution I am looking for.

Unless you’re dealing with a local dealer you have a solid relationship with this makes it very hard to know which component you’re going to want. And with Jay’s cd transport once you’ve made your decision there is no going back. You don’t even get a month to decide. In reviews and opinions here on Audiogon Jay’s Audio gets everywhere a solid thumbs up. But when deciding to spend $2,500 more for the CDT3 things get tricky. If you get the CDT2 saving yourself all that money are you left wondering what if?

I want a forever cd transport or ten to twenty years at least but after my last expensive one I got 5 years out of it. But honestly I was expecting a lot more. It did sound great and I was very happy with it with no desire to change. But after spending money to have it repaired and then to have it break down again I feel burned by this brand. I got their CD Transport and DAC. Very happy with both until I realized they had an obsoletion date built in. On two different components? That’s not a coincidence. That’s planned. And as I said in my previous thread without my mentioning the brand a poster immediately knew which one out of many many brands exactly which one I was talking about. And I don’t think he was a psychic. I believe he just knows a great deal about many brands. I did write him to find out how he knew but he never responded. But I may have mentioned the country where it was made. I guess that’ll do it. 

I purchased my CDT2 MK3 from TEK audio in early 2024 and it has performed flawlessly. I also opted to purchase the Philips replacement drive for insurance. I have received top notch support from Todd and would not hesitate to purchase from TEK Audio again.  In regards to Chinese quality, both the CDT2 MK3 and my Denafrips Pontus II DAC which I have had nearly 5 years are built like tanks.  The two pair nicely using the I2S connection.  CDS are my primary mode of listening and I was tempted to spend the extra $ for the CDT3 MK3. I opted not to and will use the money instead to upgrade my Pontus II to either a Venus or Terminator DAC.