CEC Belt Drive CD Transports vs Jay's Audio CD Transports

Hi @no_regrets ,

If you want really low budget transport and very high value for money you can go for SHANLING ET3 or SMSL PL200.

@no_regrets - yes, I think the CEC sounds better than the Oppo as a transport. 

I have a principal residence in Texas, so having somebody local to me is good. 

I really can't help you decide between the two decks. For a long time, I wasn't a digital guy. LPs sounded better. But I learned from archivists how effectively they were able to restore old, lost recordings. And, there are things that are only available on CD or crazy money on LP. So, I added digital to my main system very late in the game. I do have a more modest vintage system that is tied into my home theatre- so I can play SACDs there, but still, I'm basically a vinyl guy. I can't tell you much more. I think you need somebody who has had the CEC and Jay's to give you the answer you are looking for.

I tend to buy gear long term, and don't swap out for the next "greatest" thing. Having gear that is enduring and can get fixed easily is key. In the many years I've done this as a hobbyist, I guess I've been lucky-- I have had issues over the years, but nothing that could not be solved quickly and easily. Best of luck in making your choice, 

Audiophile 40 yrs....The CEC TL-5 with the LAIV HARMONY DAC  cannot be duplicated for under 20K...Period!

@chayro I have to believe that the TL5 with an Audio Note Dac 2.1 Signature is an amazing sounding digital rig!

I think overall the Naim does a pretty good job.  It's dynamic, full sounding with great soundstagning.  But it still sounds digital to me in the way that it can sound hard, and somewhat 2- dimensional at times.  

My vinyl rig sounds 3-dimensional, there's flesh on the bones, a palpable weight to the music.  It just sounds more like real live musicians playing real instruments in a real space.

My Naim gear was supposedly really great back in the day.  At the price point, it sure had better been, lol.  But it never once came close to my vinyl rig.

Decades have come and gone and I'm hoping that digital has come a long way.  I'm skeptical at spending insane amounts of money at it right now.  So I'm dipping my toes back in the water vs just diving in head first again.

I'm starting out with the new LTA Aero Dac  and I'm willing to spend around $2500 to around $5000 for a dedicated cd transport ( hopefully closer to the lower end if possible though ).  It's my hope that this will give me a digital rig that will be satisfying to me. Fingers are crossed.

Thank you again for your post!

Best wishes,

Don

@alexberger Hello and thank you for your post!  I will try and investigate the SHANLING ET3 or SMSL PL200 that you have mentioned.

Best wishes,

Don