If you do a search on Audiogon for CEC and Esoteric you will find one unit each within your price range. |
I am surprised that there is even one at that price. I think you may want to up your ante If you want a good Esoteric, I am less familiar with CEC. |
what is wrong with Luxman? ....if you have whole bunch of these alredy? |
For that price range I would not get all focused on any one or two brands. Their are many good players/transports for around $1500. The only Esoteric I would own would have the awesome NEO VRDS drive (that's very expensive). I would make sure the unit you choose has the correct outputs of course. Also, a unit that functions well and quickly, quietly, with remote, you could use anything from a used Shangling to a new Oppo 105! Regards,
Matt M |
As an option I also consider TEAC VRDS 10 or 20 - they are even cheaper. Don't think that Luxman will work here - they aren't famous for their CD players. |
I've never owned an Esoteric, but have had several CEC units. I currently use a CEC TL-2 and find it to be the best transport that I have ever owned, (and I've owned LOTS of them).
I'm sure either one would be an excellent choice. |
TEAC is the parent company of Esoteric obviously their high end division. I would hope they apply some of what they use for Esoteric into TEAC, but I wouldn't count on it. If they put Neo -VRDS in a reasonably priced TEAC CD player, I would buy one immediately |
As a result I chose CEC TL-1. Compare to TEAC VRDS 20 the sound was much better imo. |
Alex...nice unit. I'm sure you'll be happy with it. |
Congrats on getting the CEC transport! They have a very engaging, smooth and effortless sound. Since they're a belt drive design they may require some service over the years, but are much better sounding in my opinion as a transport compared to the Esoteric models. |
Purchased a CEC TL3N earlier this year, nice unit.
Has anyone heard any CEC DACs? |
One question regarding my purchase. I see some non-factory upgrades on the back panel... What is it?
[img]https://content-19.foto.my.mail.ru/mail/alex_bolotnikov/11/s-330.jpg[/img] |
Alex...sorry I don't know. I knew there were several companies that were modifying these, but that isn't one I've seen.
I even searched for that image, but didn't come up with anything.
Maybe ask the person you bought it from, what was done. |
I haven't seen that mod before either, but it appears to be an external clock input via BNC connector along with a switch to allow the selection of either the internal or external connected clock. |
If you don't have an external clock connected I would assume that the switch should be set to "int" for the internal clock to be used. |
Mechans, it seems TEAC has already missed the boat with audiophiles moving to servers. They should have put VRDS Neo into more affordable players a long time ago. |
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