Ken...I have owned a CEC TL 2 for over a year now. Prior to that I was using an Accuphase DP-65 as a transport with my Audio Logic DAC. The Accuphase is a beautiful piece and I thought it was excellent as a transport. However, since I didn't care for its sound as a CD player I decided to sell it and try the TL 2 which I had heard really great things about (and I bought it for about half of what I sold the DP-65 for). I really didn't expect to hear that much difference as I'd never heard big differences in the transports that I'd owned. The TL 2 is in a whole different league than the Accuphase DP-65 (I have not heard the DP-90 that Kelly mentions above, but have heard good things about it too)or anything else I've tried and the build quality is as good as anything out there. I believe that Parasound is the importer for CEC.
CEC - how are they these days?
I am in the market for CD transport in the price range of within $3K. There are lots of candidates, and I found out that CEC at least used to make good transports. I checked their website to find out there is no mention of US distribution. I am wondering whether someone out there own or have experience with CEC's newest lines, specifically TL 2 or 51, and what you think about them. Any comment or information about products or dealer in US is highly appreciated. Ken
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Thanks, all of you. I will think about Accuphase, too, Kelly. Since there is no mention on its HP about US distribution, I emailed its Japan rep, who in turn forwarded to Parasound. The President himself of Parasound very promptly returned email. I was very impressed. According to him, there is no stock in Japan or US, and new line production is running for come-back in May. I can't wait, while I don't know why CEC has kept low profile for sometime. Any ideas? Question for owners: I remember from old days that belt drive TT required periodical replacement of belt. How are your CEC? Next: My other equipment are, PT's P1/P3/Monolithic D2D/DAC combo, Sonus Faber Signum speakers, driven by Sonus Faber Musica integrated, via DH Labs cables all around the system. What do you think is the "matching" level of transport in this system? I am not saying that I am happy with my current Pioneer DV525 (mod) as transport, but I am looking for something better, like many of you. As you may guess from the line-up, my music is totally classic (especially strings). Simply put, what transport would you put in this system? Or do you see any other significantly weak link here? Please feel free to shoot honest opinions. Thanks! Ken |
My recent short contact with the Parasound is that they have excellent service and prompt return for my 4 years old CEC. The belt in CEC is quite reliable. CEC and perhaps Burmester transport had certain musical quality that's quite different from others. The vocal just seem to sound "right." It does not have the thin sound that's typical in Japanese electronics. And it gives each musical note some weight that makes the presentation more palpable. Jason |
Audio Union is the US and Canada distributor for CEC products. The TL1 and the TL51 are no longer available, out of production. Present production of players and transports is CD5, TL5, TL2N, TL0 3 |
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