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Review 2 of 4
Price Paid:
$2600.00
from eAudioNet Summary:
This is about the 'newer' version of the C.E.C. TL-1, the TL-1X. The '1X now retails for $5650. US, but I snagged this "Manufactured: April 2000" unit for much less. I'm not sure what improvements were made to the '1X over the '1, but they must have been worthwhile by the sound of things.
Although I've considered myself an "audiophile" for the majority of 3 decades, I've always been highly skeptical of how much a CD transport would affect the sound of a front-end, as long as the DAC is doing a good job vis-a-vis jitter, noise, linearity, power supply, etc. The TL-1X changed my preconceptions on all of that.
This unit is connected via ST fiber optic to a Pass Labs D1 DAC, which is what I think contributes greatly to its exceptional performance. I've tried various other digital links with this combo, including the NBS Mon.IV coax & Mon. II AES, Silver Audio Silver Stream coax, Acoustic Zen MC2=Zen coax, HAVE/Canare Digiflux Gold coax, and XLO Signature 4.1 coax.
IMO, the ST link threw a much larger and believeable soundstage than any of the other links, and separated the instruments from the speakers; as well as beating all of the other's with a very analog-like smoothness. Apparently, the ST link is much more accurate digitally than either the coax or AES outputs. It also doesn't hurt that the optical receiver in the Pass unit is considered the best in the industry.
The TL-1X is very immune to outside influences, especially when mounted on Aurios M.I.B.s under cone footers. You want an isolation test? Try to keep a laser assembly from skipping while playing a pair of Nautilus 803's at 150-200 tube w.p.c., with a REL Stentor III sub in the corner of a 19.5' x 13.5' room. Add to that: me bashing away on a full-sized Tama Starclassic drum kit (complete with Paiste's!). I have yet to hear the TL-1X skip a whisker during a practice session. I'm sure that the suppied ceramic disc weight helps to contribute to this excellent performance as well.
Sonically, the TL-1X absolutely KILLED other top-shelf CD spinner's that I've compared it to, such as the Krell MD-10, Audio Research CD-2, various marantz models, a Muse and a Roksan. The only one I've heard against the TL-1X that even comes close is the top Levinson deck, but even that pricy monster doesn't have the inherent smoothness, the "rightness", of this C.E.C. The C.E.C./Pass pairing sounds ALMOST as good as my analog rig in many areas, but that's another story!
So, who in their right mind wants to pay around $5-Large, just to spin an "old-tech" Red Book disc? After I heard this player, I did. You haven't heard what a 16/44 disc, or ANY digital source, can do until you've reached this level.
I'm done shopping for a CD front-end. Strengths:
•Wonderful soundstaging, analog-like detailing, no glare when using ST optic output.
•Well-constructed, but that's to be expected at this price level. Weaknesses:
•Can be a tad "soft" in the bass 'slam-wise', compared to some of its peers - if not used with a decent aftermarket power cord. I have a Voodoo Power Cords "Dragon" on this player, which works very well.
•Not an elaborate interface like some other high-end drives - fairly basic remote & front panel controls. Similar Products Used:
•See main text.
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