Esoteric or CEC cd-transport

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.