CD Transport

I agree with baylinor. I have the Jay's Audio Cdt2 MK2. It's a great top loader. very simple design, dual mono and balanced output.

@baylinor 

Jay's strangely absent in this discussion. Fantastic top loader.

The Jay’s Audio gets mucho praise on this forum (A quick search confirms that). The OP mentioned the 3 specific CD transport choices he’s interested in. But yes I like a good quality top loading CD transport as well. Simpler and very effective.
Charles 

@2psyop 

@charles1dad 

Additionally I purchased a spare Phillips CDM4 mechanism from them and at 69 I feel that I will be set for life with this beauty. I honestly feel it would be a disservice not to consider it. And at under 3k to boot. Jay's and Gustard are two products from China I can buy without any reservation. And I get it, the 3 units the OP mentions are from USA, England and Japan. Maybe China is a turn-off. However sound and value are the two main components in my equipment decisions. Plus Jay's service is outstanding.

I have a CEC on the way. There are a lot of choices and very difficult to compare them side by side. I like the ergonomics of the unit and the fact that it is a time-tested design with US service.

The thing I truly enjoy with the Jay's cdt2-mk3 is the I2s connection which is a match for the Gustard X26 PRO.  It easily surpasses the AES connection in clarity and overall imaging. Bigger and clearer sound. And the AES is no slouch. But in all honesty, the I2s connection really blossomed once I bought the Tubulus Concentus cable. Lesser cables did not do it justice. I wonder what jasonborne would have to say about that.