CD Player Transport: Lector vs Emotiva vs Jaysaudio vs ???

Considering another CD player / transport, need 2 within my business. My specific needs are 1) AES / EBU out and also 2) as a preferred option balanced XLR out. Will mostly use with a Space Tech Labs DAC. Have just about given up on my dreams of the Lector Digidrive TL cdp transport or the CDP-7T-MKIII tube cd player because of budget. Have been watching for a used Lector for years with no luck. As a backup player, the Emotiva ERC-4 is the best for my current budget. The Jaysaudio cdt2-mk2 has just entered my consideration due to reviews, and the top loading mechanism. I like the modular design that allows for easy replacement of parts as needed.
I am one of those who is lucky (or is it unlucky?) enough that I perceive distinct differences in the difference between transports, though with just casual, and very limited experience with different units. Whether this be psychological, emotional, or an actual quantifiable difference, I have perceived quite different experiences between different players / transports using the same cables and DAC. I don't do critical listening at all; music is just my joy and I see these pieces of equipment as true works of the engineering art. My choice will be heavily influenced by a performance/cost, vs budget, vs personal aesthetics consideration.
Any guidance or opinions about the 3 mentioned options, or any other recommendations would be most welcome. I used to own an Audiomecca Mephisto IIX, and now use a Space Tech Labs CD-201. My Rotel from 1986 (bought it the same day a Replacements album was released on CD only), is still the backup, but drawer mechanism is beginning to stagger after 34 years. Still sounds great to me...
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There’s a used Lector cdp 5.0 on EBay from a Florida seller at a good price, but with a best offer button, definitely worth a look. I have the Lector cdp 0.6 and it’s fabulous, a lucky find right here in the classifieds.

 

Thanks, have seen that listing which mentions: "Sometimes when inserting a CD, the drawer will stop closing about 1/2 inch from fully closed and requires a final push."
It also does not have the AES / EBU out. Considered it strongly at that price, but 2 messages to seller have gone unanswered, so a bit wary as of now. The U.S. dealer for Lector is now in my state, and have done a lot of business with them over the years, so will be asking if they could repair the drawer, and convert the unit to optimize
the possible option of AES / EBU; (don't know if this is even possible, as it now has RCA outs plus a digital out.)

 

@stephenjh7731 any further progress on an AES red book transport ?

 

This will be my next transport "if" user reviews are positive, still very new to market.

At around $1200. USD, it could be a good value CDT with desirable Outputs.

https://www.denafrips.com/avatar

 

Thanks for the tip on the Denafrips Avatar. Have read one positive review and I am very much leaning
towards this transport now.

 

There's talk of a Schiit transport in the works.
Don't know if it's only a rumor or if it will actually happen.

I believe the Avatar has been discontinued.
Was interested in this CDT as well.
I contacted them several weeks ago.
Basically sold all they were going to build.

 

Echo Audio | Lector Audio Digidrive T.L. MKII

 

Yes, Denafrips has quit offering the Avatar, even after raising the price by $400. Disappointing

 

Buy something which has a Philips CD-PRO2 transport. That's the highest quality, longest lived of the CD transports late in the game. Still rebuildable by at least one or two vendors.

 

Is there a list somewhere?

 

Not that I am aware of. But if you find something with that transport, consider it.

 

Yes, I heard back this A.M. for my inquiry to Denafrips, as to whether they had plans for a model in black, and they confirmed they no longer offer the Avatar.
They gave me a link to Jay's Audio Transport! Guess it was too good to be true...too good for the money to last the year's end...
Will look further into units with Phillips PRO-2.

 

I don't know what budget you have, but C.E.C transports are great. Top loading, belt driven and AES output.

 

I use a Sonic Frontiers SFT-1 with an upgraded word clock, from Parts Connexion in Canada. Previously I had a Jay's CDT2 mk2 (remembering the model number off the top of my head, it was around 2200). I paid less than half for the SFT-1. Considering CD listening for me is about 10% of how I listen (50% Roon, the rest on vinyl), I didn't want to have so much wrapped up in a transport, and put it in my DAC instead.

Anyway, I've been really happy with the SFT-1. I've compared it to what is considered a very good Pro Audio DAC word clock and prefer the one PC used. It does have AES/EBU out. But being a transport only, it has no XLR analog outputs.

And while the Jay's was an absolute unit in terms of build quality, I actually think, despite less heft, the SFT-1 is the more solid machine. It's never given me a hint of an issue, where with the Jay's I did have a couple little things here and there. Nothing major, but the SFT-1 has been flawless so far.

Just a thought, good luck!

 

Thanks...checking out both the CEC TL5 and Sonic Frontiers SFT-1 later today. Have always wanted the Lector player or transport but budget is more in line
with these players.

 

So I'm guessing that wasn't you that purchased the Lector for sale, that I linked above? Was that a different model than you were looking for?

 

If I decide to go with Lector, will probably purchase new or demo from local dealer (in state) who carries the line,
and has taken care of me in the past.

 

I agree with this. C.E.C. always made solid transports and their turntables were excellent. Recommended highly.

 

Definitely give them a listen I've heard both the CD player and transport/dac combo at that retailer and both were fantastic.

 

If you really need that AES/EBU output this just saw this Nuprime transport on Audiomart for $500 with that output.

NuPrime Cd Transport CDT-8 Pro - Black - 2 -Months old

 

Anyone have thoughts as to why U.S. dealer pricing on the C.E.C. TL5 Transport is at $3300, and yet
many Japanese sellers on Ebay list at around $1200 shipped? Some mention Japanese standard 100V and that
higher voltage countries would require a "proper transformer....a conversion connector for charge(Plug) & converter."

 

Eh, many Japanese brands are much cheaper in Japan than overseas. Accuphase for example. The TL5 is €3200 here, so similar pricing. I've seen them go for ~€2000 used/demo unit.

 

FYI - not sure about the TL5, but many 100v CEC transports can easily be converted to 120v by a technician and don’t require a transformer. Google it. I did it on a TL3N once, took the technician 5 minutes and he charged me $10.

 

No CEC dealer is selling on eBay, regardless of what the seller may tell you. What you see on eBay are look alikes, fakes, and counterfeit CEC branded products. If you are interested in Genuine CEC products contact your nearest distributor from the list posted on CEC's webpage CEC THE DRIVE | SINCE 1954

Parts and service are only available for Genuine CEC products through CEC distributors and dealers.