Candidly, I’m highly skeptical you should put any credence in the results from an AI query. I’m sure you know this, but for those who may not - AI is based on a large language model which summarizes data sources. More data points equals more reliable results. Importantly, it is not able to draw its own conclusions as it isn’t actually intelligence. It’s extrapolating the biases of disparate owners, reviewers, and even the random postings of people who are neither.

It doesn’t seem likely that there’s a large number of owners of both specific units from which data can be summarized. So, it’s summarizing results from transport owners and then summarizing results from Aurender owners and inferring that these are an equivalent baselines.  

I doubt it.

Of course, it could be directionally correct. But it could also be nonsense.

Want to summarize the sonic characteristics of Marantz AV receivers? AI is probably a reasonable resource. For something hi-end, less so. For comparing two hi-end pieces - even more suspect.

My $.03 (inflation)

Friend

I echo the accurate and excellent remarks of mgrif104 about AI.  I have found AI useful for research for data on topics - data that is already out there but would be time-consuming to pull together.  So I would characterize AI as a useful tool only.

Performace comparisons between products definitely require a human - and even then half the time humans disagree on which is best based on preference.

I find AI to be a very useful tool, and very good at providing comparisons. However, the differences between CD and files on high end equipment are going to be pretty subtle I think, and might be splitting hairs. My vote is to migrate towards the streamer as it will also open up additional options for you. It is only a matter of time before you decide the Verbatim discs are not the best and have to return them.

Thanks so much, everyone.  I agree with you regarding AI.

AI has helped me solve a lot of problems.  However, I always follow up with more questions and ask for references or "proof."  I have had a couple instances where I have proven it wrong yet it insists it is correct.  Or different AI engines give different answers.

I will try to contact Brandonhifi to see if he has any further thoughts and if he has played files on his W20SE for comparison.

I asked AI why it thought the Jay's would be more musical and this was one explanation.  I am trying to make sense of it.

Why the CDT3’s timing feels “musical”

Because the timing is shaped by:

• the disc’s rotation

• the servo’s micro‑adjustments

• the mechanism’s inertia

• the power supply’s stability

• the clock’s phase noise

• the physical behavior of the CD‑Pro2 LF

This creates a natural, continuous timing flow that your ear interprets as:

• musicality

• drive

• presence

• emotional engagement

A file player cannot replicate this because it has no mechanical timing source.

One other thing.  While the commercial CDs and the Verbatim CD-Rs are relatively quiet in comparison to the Maxell, I can still hear them spinning in quiet spots so the extreme quiet of the N30SA would be welcome.