Tonality of Jay's Transport?


Having demo'd the Pro-ject RS2 and compared it to my Sim260DT, I'm well aware that transports differ in terms of their capacity for reading data off a disc. 

I returned the Pro-ject (I found its small size and light weight impractical) before it was burned in and therefore garnered little sense of how it affected the overall tonality of my system. Furthermore, it was demo'd before I acquired my current integrated. 

Now I am considering purchasing the Jay's and am wondering if anyone can comment on its tonality. I'm particularly interested in how it might affect the mids in my system. 

Although my Aqua La Voce 2 DAC and Silverline SR17.5 monitors are typically regarded as warm, I've found my Hegel H390's neutral character has a greater impact on the sound of the system, overall. I often turn up the mids to 2 - 0 - clock on my Schiit Lokius and would not want a transport than would impart any sense of lean-ness. As I cannot return the Jay's, I feel a need for caution, here. 

Thanks! 

 

 

stuartk

@stuartk @Nonoise 

I try and describe what my ears hear and my brain prefers with an accurate characterization as to why I prefer a certain audio presentation.  I also prefer to stay away from some of the toxic interchanges that occur in this forum.   I have been an Audiophool since college.  One person's preference no matter how informed will not be uniformly preferred by other listeners. So I can offer my opinion but would not fall on a sword defending it.

@jaymark 

My aim is to balance the two presentations (voluptuous vs. analytical).

I've tried gear in my system that has pushed it to one extreme or the other, on various occasions. I believe it's just as worthwhile to hear, first-hand, what we don't enjoy as it is to hear what we do enjoy. Otherwise, we have no real benchmark-- merely a mental concept. 

I demo'd the Pro-ject with a tubey-sounding Wells Majestic integrated and my initial impression was very positive although I could not get used to the Pro-ject's ergonomics. 

While I would not describe the Hegel as analytical, it is much more resolving and clear than the Wells, so, based upon your comments, I imagine it will pair well with the Jay's. 

At the same time, I fully appreciate the subjective nature of the hobby and recognize there is still a possibility I may not like the Jay's. Be assured, in such a case, I will not expect you to fall on your sword!  

@stuartk I struggle with the ergonomics and sturdiness of the Project transport, at least the RS2T.  I have their slot loading transport in another system and while small I like it better from a functional use standpoint.  You hit on another important point that you can guess at but can truly only figure out by experimentation.  That is, the interaction between components. 

@jaymark 

One person's preference no matter how informed will not be uniformly preferred by other listeners. So I can offer my opinion but would not fall on a sword defending it.

Well put and agree 100%.

@stuartk 

I believe that you'll be thrilled with the Jay's Audio CDT2 MK III. I can't envision how this would not be a good purchase decision. 

Charles