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

I have not heard either CEC transports but will state that I am very happy with my Jay's CD2MK3.   Well built, easy to use, and an across the board improvement to the Cambridge CXC transport.

Take a look at the Pro-Ject CDT RS2 transport.  Add a Linear Tube Audio linear power supply to go with it.  Incredible sound and performance.

I've had my TL-2 for 7-8 years and have never had to replace the belts.  I did buy a spare set, just in case, and they were less than $10 each.

If repair is needed, I recommend Stephen Sank from Talking Dog Transducers.  He is really, really good!

FWIW, I have a CEC TL1x, which I bought new in 1991. It's had 1 belt replaced, I feel no need to replace it. It is very musical.

It’s a shame the prices for CEC CDTs have gone up so much over the years. After I got my Technics SU-G700M2, I was down to the matching SL-G700 Network SACD player and the CEC TL-5 CDT.

The Technics went for $3000 and the CEC TL-5 was going for around $1700 (there was always a deal going around for less), and that was the US model sold by the stateside dealer.

To hear about power supplies, upcharges for $10 replacement belts, etc., I’m glad I got the Technics. If anyone, Technics could make a fantastic top loader only model should they choose to do so and keep the price around $2,000 and I wish they would. They have two top loader, all in one models so the platform to start with is already there. If they made it, they’d sell like hotcakes and that’s a missed opportunity.

All the best,
Nonoise