CEC Belt Drive CD Transports vs Jay's Audio CD Transports

@oddiofyl Thank you for sharing your comments!  The Teac is a great machine by many accounts and I hope it gives you many years of great and reliable service.  I think I am personally leaning more towards a top loading machine myself.

Best wishes,

Don

@no_regrets - I’m using the TL5 with an Audio Note Dac 2.1 Signature. I can’t say whether it outperforms the Naim because it was too long ago. But given that the Naim was 11k back in 2007, I have my doubts. You’ll find out soon enough. 

Hi @no_regrets ,

If you want really low budget transport and very high value for money you can go for SHANLING ET3 or SMSL PL200.

@no_regrets - yes, I think the CEC sounds better than the Oppo as a transport. 

I have a principal residence in Texas, so having somebody local to me is good. 

I really can't help you decide between the two decks. For a long time, I wasn't a digital guy. LPs sounded better. But I learned from archivists how effectively they were able to restore old, lost recordings. And, there are things that are only available on CD or crazy money on LP. So, I added digital to my main system very late in the game. I do have a more modest vintage system that is tied into my home theatre- so I can play SACDs there, but still, I'm basically a vinyl guy. I can't tell you much more. I think you need somebody who has had the CEC and Jay's to give you the answer you are looking for.

I tend to buy gear long term, and don't swap out for the next "greatest" thing. Having gear that is enduring and can get fixed easily is key. In the many years I've done this as a hobbyist, I guess I've been lucky-- I have had issues over the years, but nothing that could not be solved quickly and easily. Best of luck in making your choice, 

Audiophile 40 yrs....The CEC TL-5 with the LAIV HARMONY DAC  cannot be duplicated for under 20K...Period!