CD transport recommendations

The CEC TL1X is indeed pitch black background and perfectly 3D... The TL5100 wasn't in the same league... mind you, not bad at all, but to the same level

You are correct. The 1X is better for sure.

Here's a great site for CEC transports, his mods are fantastic, without changing any of the inherent characters of the transport.

There is no question that CEC transports are good...I've owned and auditioned several. However, what you have to pay for their top-of-the-line models simply does not result in a decent "bang for the buck" when you compare what you can get with a PWT or a computer based source, IMHO. The CEC units' belts wear out and getting service for them is becoming increasingly difficult. I know because when my TL5100 developed a read out issue, I spent months tracking someone down who'd give a go at it without a schematic. I wouldn't pay more than $1500 for ANY stand-alone transport in 2013.

You could pay $10,000 for a stand alone transport and it will not be as good as today's better and more affordable options. Yes, they will still be very good.