Best power/digital cords for C E C transports.


I Have an Electrocompaniet ECD-1 dac & recently purchased a used CEC TL-2x transport. I have a balanced MIT reference digital interconnect & am using a BMI EEL powercord.I also have the TL-2x well isolated,not a concern.

These cords sound great with my Cal Delta transport & ECD-1 combined,not with the TL-2x & ECD-1 combined.These cords also sounded great with my Cal Delta transport & Alpha dac.

Could it be the TL-2x does not have the proper synergy with my dac? Could the TL-2x need calibration?I would think the TL-2x should outperform my Delta. What cord combos are you using to get the best sound out of your digital separates? Might the digital rca connection sound better in this case?

I am not looking to spend for the very expensive cords unless great deals on used.I am also not into doing any mods on a unit that retailed for $3300.Thanks.
lihifiguy
Hey Psychic,

I went to the Modwright website and didn't see any pricing for Parasound/CEC transport mods. What would a level 1/2/3 pricing be for the CEC?

Michael
Mcrespo71, my CEC TL-2x never sounded behind the beat--to the contrary, it was always on top of the beat.. Not quite as much PRAT foot-tapping as my Rega turntable, but then it probably isn't running 1% fast ;)

Lihifiguy: hang in there, the CEC TL-2X is a wonderful transport. I used one for about a year with my now departed dCS Delius, and it was a fantastic match. I had great luck with my MIT digital cables, AVT1 and the older model (can't recall the name). This combo was absolutely fantastic. Perhaps try the RCA outs (I never used the balanced) as Sean suggested.
Ndjedinak,I may need to try the digital rcas. I have an MIT reference balanced cable.It worked great with my Cal gear as they are perfectly matched.The Cal Delta has more presence with the MIT cable matched to the ECD-1.The TL-2 has more detail with the same cable & dac.According to an audio friend who has keen sense of listening and can always point things out, the TL-2x sounds as if it is veiled compared to the Cal Delta.

As Pyschicanimal recommended I did get a VH Flavor 4 power cord with gold Wattgate connectors.Waiting for it to fully burn in.I will be ordering some burn im adapters & burn some power cords with my fridge.

I passed on the VH IEC connector as it would take hacking the back of my TL-2x to make it fit as well as it would hurt resale.On the other hand the VH IEC looks identical to the one on the back of my new Electrocompaniet ECD-1 DAC.
Hifi, I'm glad you got the Flavor 4. It will be a great match. I have been using the VenHaus Pulsar digital cable for the past ten days (Sean cooked it for 30 days) and I am surprised at what it can do. It is an unbelievably quiet and pretty neutral sounding cable. VenHaus did a great job with this design.

Crespo, you are asking the wrong guy for pricing. You know who to ask...
I was a stand to get the best sound I could out of my recently purchased used CEC TL-2x transport.Initially I was considering selling it as I first was not able to get the best sound it was reputed to have in my particular system.

My Cal Delta had an edge and still is not far off after all of my upgrades.They must have played around with this one at Cal or who had it before me had a mod done.

First of all I tried some Mapleshade Siltech. This contact enhancer is recognized by some credible audio gurus to have great benefits. In my system a major transformation, equal to a well chosen component upgrade.

Second of all I purchased a VH Audio Flavor 4 power cord. Yet not fully broken in, added detail & a more natural analoge sound when plugged into my TL 2x.

Thirdly, I switched my MIT Reference balanced cable that had served me well for the last 3 years with a used Synergestic Resolution Digital cable recommended by Steve from the Cable Company.Added detail,added smoothness and a tad more natural(analoge)sound.

Finally I bought a used Audio Magic Stealth which is the last stretch of my current budget. Compared to my PS Audio P-300 with the Multi-wave II that I recently installed there was another revelation in sonic appreciation.

The A M had a bit more detail & an improved isolation of instruments.The P-300 had a slightly fuller sound.Fairly close, the A M Stealth has the edge according to my audio buddy and my evaluation. We will give a final listen in a few days.

Thanks to all that made the difference that raised an already satisfying system to the next level.