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C.E.C. TL5 belt drive

Price: 2,300.00 € | Second-hand device

Product information

Product category
CD Drive
Manufacturer
C.E.C.
Function
flawless
Age
2 years By estimate
Usage state
second-hand
Appearance
as good as new
Accessories
complete with original box
Color
Black
Original price
3,200.00 €
Price
2,300.00 €
More information
http://www.cec-international.de

Description

As good as new with limited playing hours

The CEC TL-5 is the updated version of that remarkable belt-drive transport design that first appeared back in 1991, when the idea that “CDs might not be the sonic equivalents of analog after all” was starting to gain steam among audiophiles. The idea of digital that sounded more like analog was on everyone’s minds at the time—unless, of course, you adopted the CD technology early and never looked back.

The idea for the belt-drive transport on a CD player certainly makes sense—the thinking behind this closely aligns with the best turntable designs, i.e. keeping the distance between the motor and the needle as large as possible. CEC explains this succinctly in their new, updated belt-drive design:

Digital outputs include AES/EBU, Coaxial and Toslink. (I used the AudioQuest Carbon digital coax cable that became a favorite when I used the Rotel with the AVA DVA preamplifier.) You can also choose one of two disc stabilizers when you buy your TL-5—the smaller stock version, which is little more than a puck, and the TL-2N stabilizer (a $300 option). The TL-2N is much larger and heavier, more like a record clamp on a turntable—the disc is completely covered inside the top-loading well for the CDs.

I tested the differences between the two stabilizers, and I found subtle differences—the TL-2N added some weight to the lower frequencies, and the focus on the entire presentation was a bit sharper. Not a huge difference, I thought at first, but over time I stopped using the smaller stabilizer completely. The more I think about it, the more I realize that my subconscious was exerting its opinion on the matter. Use this one for the best results. In fact, this was the same response I had to switching back and forth between FLAT and PULSE on the CEC DA5—PULSE just sounded more to my liking in a very general sort of way, and I stuck with it over time.

The TL-5 is a perfect cosmetic match with the CEC DA-5 DAC. After I explored the DA5 and its capabilities while streaming, I spent much of my review period enjoying the CEC DA5 and TL-5 as a simple CD player—albeit in two boxes. Again, the CEC TL-5 is surprisingly affordable for the quality


Seller:
Shipping information
- Shipping from Netherlands (1024 ME)
- Purchaser pays shipping costs
- EU wide shipping

Payment methods

- Cash upon collection
- Bank transfer
- Cash on delivery
- Prepayment (bank transfer)

Advert ID

9211975793

Advert time period
Start:
28.10.2024 - 12:23
End:
27.12.2024 - 12:23
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275 times in 55 day(s)