Jay’s Audio CDT2-MK3
The Jay’s Audio CDT2-MK3 brings CDs to life with tonal richness, relaxed flow and remarkably assured timing. hi-fi+ found its detail, dynamics and imaging exceptional for the class, while Audiophiliac heard greater air, transient energy and spatial scale than the previous model. Its substantial CNC chassis, OCXO clock and transformer-isolated outputs complete a seriously accomplished Red Book source.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
95/100
Build Quality
95/100
Features Usability
88/100
Value for Money
93/100
Pros
Balanced, richly textured sound combines strong dynamics, precise imaging, tonal detail and natural timing.
Delivers greater room ambience, air, transient life and instrumental separation than the CDT2-MK2.
Exceptional construction, with substantial CNC aluminium casework and practical user-replaceable transport mechanism.
Flexible, transformer-isolated AES/EBU, coaxial and I2S outputs; I2S can bring meaningful gains with compatible DACs.
Cons
The 176.4kHz upsampling option did not produce a significant audible improvement in one review.
I2S compatibility is not universal across DACs, despite being configurable.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 95/100
Reviewers find the CDT2-MK3 unusually accomplished as a digital source, combining strong detail retrieval with richer tone, relaxed flow, convincing dynamics and stable imaging. It was judged equal or better in most musical respects than a belt-drive rival costing three times as much, while the MK3 was also heard as more open, energetic and spatially expressive than its predecessor.
Overall Sound
96/100
hi-fi+ heard a balanced, generous presentation with dynamic agility, tonal and textural depth, precise image placement, and persuasive timing. Audiophiliac likewise found the MK3’s gains over the MK2 clearly audible: more room ambience, air, transient life, instrumental separation and a more breathing, involving musical presentation.
Digital Signal Integrity
93/100
The CDT2-MK3’s timing and resolution of dense material impressed hi-fi+, which attributed its low-jitter performance in part to the internal oven-controlled clock. The reviewer noted that staging and bass receded when external system conditions increased jitter, but found the transport itself far from lacking; Audiophiliac also heard a more meaningful improvement via I2S than in earlier comparisons.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 88/100
As a dedicated CD transport, the CDT2-MK3 offers purposeful physical operation, thoughtful serviceability and a strong selection of digital connections. Its remote provides useful playback and upsampling control, while the outputs suit DACs with conventional S/PDIF, AES/EBU or I2S inputs.
Streaming Software
86/100
The reviews focus on physical CD operation rather than network control. hi-fi+ praises the smooth top-loading shutter, while the remote supports advanced track programming and switching to 176.4kHz upsampling; the user-replaceable mechanism should also make long-term ownership less troublesome.
Features Connectivity
92/100
Connection provision is unusually flexible for a CD transport, including BNC and RCA coaxial, AES/EBU, and HDMI-based I2S. hi-fi+ notes that these outputs are transformer-isolated, and Audiophiliac found I2S capable of delivering a worthwhile sonic improvement in the right system.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
95/100
Both reviewers describe a notably substantial and carefully executed machine. hi-fi+ praised the silky top-loading shutter, CNC-machined aluminium casework, billet-aluminium remote and internal component quality, while Audiophiliac called it exceptionally solidly built and highlighted the practical user-replaceable laser assembly and plug-in boards.
Value for Money
93/100
At $2,498, this is not inexpensive, but reviewers repeatedly frame the execution and performance as highly competitive at the asking price. hi-fi+ considered its cost a further reason to seek it out after finding performance that challenged a transport priced at roughly three times more, while Audiophiliac was impressed by the craftsmanship and offered a substantial viewer discount.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
YouTube Reviews
Forum Mentions
No forum mentions found yet
Specifications
- Design Highlight
- CDM4 Mechanism Schurter IEC Inlet Improved Noise Filter with 110v/230v switching UK Noratel Encapsulated Transformers Multistage Super Regulator with Gold Tune Caps Neutrik XLR Oven Controlled Crystal Oscillator OCXO i2s LVDS Output Digital Output Isolation Transformer Native/Upsampling 44.1kHz / 176.4kHz Configurable via Remote Control
- Supported Formats
- Redbook CD, CDR, CDR/W only**
- Note
- * The dimmeable display may turn on where there is a signal to trigger it to turn on; the signal can be a remote control signal, or an internal CDM4/19 processor signal. It is normal and shall not be viewed as a defect. ** Redbook CD transport only. Doesn't support HDCD/SACD/DSD
- Digital Output
- COAX (RCA/BNC) 2v @ 75ohm ; XLR 5V @110ohm, HDMI i2s LVDS
- Sampling Rate
- 44.1kHz, 176.4kHz
- AC Power
- 110V/230V
- Dimension
- 430mm x 380mm x 120mm
- Weight
- 15KG
- Warranty
- 12 months
Manufacturer's Description — Jay’s Audio
Multi Awards Winner CDT2 with Philips CDM4/19 laser module. The CDT2 aims to capture music lovers who believe CDT makes a different.
Top-loader CD Transport
CDM4/19 Laser
Equipped with Philips CDM4/19 laser, carefully tested & selected by Jay's Audio engineering team.
Jay stock piled thousands of CDM4/19 module. Critical audiophiles who demand longevity of the CDT are well covered with the spare parts when needed.
OCXO
In digital audio, the quality of the crystal plays a big part in the audio quality.
CDT2-MK3 is equipped with low noise, low phase noise, low jitter, ultra precision Oven Controlled Crystal Oscillator.
Encapsulated AC
CDT2 comes with dual encapsulated Noratel AC Transformers. The high quality, oversized transformers, coupled with EMI filters, supply low noise AC voltage to the Linear Power Supply.
I²S Digital Outputs
Tremendous amount of attentions to vibration control were implemented.
Milled high grade aluminium chassis, coupled with milled internal vibration control aluminium structure, the CDT3 is built like a tank that spin the silver Redbook CDT with negligible g-force.
Multi Awards Winner
The CDT that professional reviewers and users are raving about.
Verified Dealers
Online Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Jay’s Audio CDT2-MK3
- ARK Audio — online and in-store — Borensberg, Östergötlands län, Sweden (website)
- Audio Magic - EU — online and in-store — Wola, Województwo mazowieckie, Poland (website)
- Tek Audio Specialities — online — United States (website)
- The Music Room - UK — in-store — Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom (website)
- Vinshine Audio — online and in-store — Singapore, Singapore (website)
- Willow Tree Audio — online and in-store — Bury Saint Edmunds, England, United Kingdom (website)