AudioCircle
Audio/Video Gear and Systems => Critic's Circle (Equipment Reviews) => Source Component Reviews => Topic started by: LostInPA on 15 Jul 2022, 02:02 am
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I would like this topic post to be a usable resource for current and prospective owners of top loading CD transports. To that goal, please keep this about only those that are known to be still available new; I believe that those from 47 Laboratory and Acoustic Plan are NLA. FYI, I have the no longer available Denafrips Avatar. The two from Jay's Audio https://www.beatechnik.com/shop and the one from Pro-Ject https://www.project-audio.com/en/product/cd-box-rs2-t/ already have many postings and reviews. There are other top loading transports that have minimal exposure. Some are more expensive than the Jay's or the Pro-Ject, and some are less expensive. Here are some that I know of, but have had no experience with or read little about:
- 3 from CEC https://audio-union.com/product-category/cec/cd-transport/
- many from Ayon https://www.usatubeaudio.com/brand/ayon/?fwp_brands=ayon&fwp_product_categories=transports
- two from Oracle Audio https://www.oracle-audio.com/cd1000-mkiii and https://www.oracle-audio.com/cd2000-mkiii-cd2500-mkiv
- three from Sparkler Audio, S507t and S503t shown here https://www.vkmusic.ca/Sparkler%20Audio%20S507.htm and S515t shown here
http://sparkler-audio.com/portfolio/S515_en.html
- https://kalista-audio.com/en/dreamplaycd-en/
* It would be GOOD if you could add other makes and models.
** It would be BETTER if you had one and could comment on the use/performance/reliability of yours [please, not Jay's or Pro-Ject as they already have much written about them].
*** It would be BEST if you had more than one top loading transport and could comment on a comparison.
Thank you.
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To have a better sound that the top loading transports delivery I had to remove the drawer mechanism from my ex Denon DCD-1520, I was surprised how good they sounded without the drawer vibrations. Highly recommended.
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If you're including players (onboard DACs), there's still Rega.
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I have a CEC 3.3 and I am continually impressed with it’s performance.Faultless operation and exceptional build quality.In my experience top loading is definitely the way to go.That said I would stay clear of the Ayon products.
Many reported failures with their transport mechanism.Replacement cost I believe is $900 +
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I have 3 Regas: a current Apollo-R, an older Saturn and a Saturn-R.
They're excellent with both Saturns having extended bass and treble compared to the Apollo-R.
The Apollo-R is fine, especially in a smaller room where you might be experiencing too much bass.
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I had shown the same Sparkler Audio information twice. The correct info for the model S515t is shown here http://sparkler-audio.com/portfolio/S515_en.html
Original post corrected.
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Happily the CEC TL0 was price reduted from $37,800.00 to now only $32,000.00usd
https://audio-union.com/product/tl0-3-0/
TL0 3.0 CD Transport, Dual Belt Drive, with SuperLink, 120 volt, Power Supply Isolated in Separate Chassis, Weight 21kg
Dimensions 30 × 31.7 × 15.8 cm
$37,800.00 $32,000.00
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Not sure about the Japanese transport time life, but I would avoid players with Philips transports.
https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/classics/digital-classics/marantz-philips-classics-2/philips-cdm-mechanisms-page-3-cdm-12-and-cd-pro/
Common Issues
While the mechanism as a whole tended to be quite reliable, it did not quite have the lifespan of the CDM1 and CDM4 mechanisms. There are samples that still work after 20 years but there are also those that gave the ghost after only 10 years.
The optical pick-up unit (OPU) is by far the most troublesome component. It is quite likely that whatever issues your device is exhibiting will be remedied with a new OPU. Turntable motor problems are less frequent, but replacing this motor is sometimes required. Another relatively common issue with this mechanism concerns the center part of the plastic turntable part that is clamped over the motor spindle which tended to crack sooner or later. While this can be remedied with a full replacement hub, these parts are now also becoming increasingly difficult to source.
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Added Kalista to first post.
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I have a friend who just purchased a Jay's CDT2-MK3. He's been chasing transports for awhile and says, "This is the one".
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I have used Cec transports for years
I have used a Cec Tl1x for over ten years
Haven't heard anything to make me want to change it