The CEC difference
CEC was established in 1954 and was the first company to produce analog turntables in Japan. The first CEC CD player was introduced in 1983. In 1991, CEC introduced the first belt drive CD transport, the TL1. A technology for which CEC holds worldwide patent rights. CEC’s philosophy is to create high performance audio products of high quality and reliability. CEC’s past OEM customers for analog turntables, CD players, and transports include Grundig, Marantz, Teac, Sony, Sanyo, Toshiba, Mitsubishi, Alpine, Kenwood, Sharp etc. The awarding winning CD player, CD transports, and D/A converters are only available through CEC’s network of distributors and dealers. If you want the best there is only one, CEC audiophile cd transport.
Table of contents
No Compromises in CEC designs
Many cd players and cd transports compromise there designs. Examples of these compromises are adding SACD capability, using zones speeds to control read rate, and interpolating the music data read. These all hurt the performance of CDs which when done properly is an excellent music source. CEC CD player and CD transports do one thing and one thing only, play “Red Book” CDs without compromise at a price point. CEC designs their mechanisms and electronics to be top performing and CEC has brought many innovations to the market. To this end CEC designs and builds their transport mechanisms in house.
Reading the Data on a CD
The music data on a CD is recorded at a Constant Linear Velocity (CLV). The rotation speed must be gradually reduced as the laser pickup moves to the outer edge of the CD to read the data at CLV. This change in rotation speed of the CD turntable is controlled by the drive motor electronics. Ordinary CD players and transports employ a direct drive system in which a motor is placed directly below the disc turntable. The turntable is directly driven by the motor shaft. However, in order to obtain controlled and stable rotation, it is necessary to use a relatively large motor. The large motor makes it impossible to avoid signal distortion caused by vibration and electromagnetic noise generated by the motor.
CEC Single Belt Drive CD Transport
The single belt drive CD transport reduces the effects of vibration and electromagnetic noise. It does this by moving the motor away from the disc rotation axis and connecting the spindle and motor with a belt. The CEC single belt drive mechanism employs a groundbreaking design that allows the condition of the disc drive rubber belt to be visually checked at any time. The belt can be replaced by the owner as needed, just like many record players. You can fully enjoy your favorite CDs without worrying about changing belts.
CEC uses a low torque motor which drives the spindle of the CD turntable. A stabilizer secures the CD disc to the turntable. The spindle motor is isolated mechanically from the spindle. A precision rubber belt is used to connect the spindle and the motor. The spindle bearing centers the disc providing excellent vibration absorption characteristics. The drive mechanism is isolated on a dual suspension system with high noise and vibration absorption. The result is a more musical experience.
CEC Dual Belt Drive Transport
Music reproduction of compact disc reached a new summit with the CEC TL2N dual belt drive CD transport. The dual belt drive system minimizes the effects of mechanical vibration and electromagnetic noise from the motors. The dual belt drive design allows the motors driving the spindle and the laser pickup to be located away from the spindle and the laser pickup. This minimizes mechanical noise and electrical interference.
In the picture you can see the motors are mounted on a different plate from the turntable and the laser pickup. The turntable and the laser pickup plate is mounted with rubber suspension parts which isolate the motors mechanically from the turntable and the laser pickup. The rubber belts are the only direct connection to the turntable and laser pickup drive. The CEC TL0 3.0 uses the dual belt drive concept.
CEC Difference Conclusion
With each innovation the mechanical and electromagnetic noise are reduced which effects the quality of the music reproduction. This is easily noticed by more defined bass, clear highs, and a more musical mid-range. With each step distortion is lower, mechanical and electromagnetic noise is lower, jitter is lower than the direct drive competition. There is more, SUPPERLINK.
SPDIF interference issues
The SPDIF (Sony Philips Digital Inter Face) and AES/EBU(Audio Engineering Society/European Broadcasting Union) systems are commonly used in coaxial digital outputs and optical outputs. SPDIF and AES/EBU both transmit the music and clock signals through the same cable, and thus are prone to jitter effects caused by the signals interfering with each other.
The SUPPERLINK difference
SUPPERLINK is CEC’s proprietary signal interconnection solution. It uses four 75 Ohm BNC cables to make the connection between transports and D/A converters. The four signal are left/right clock data, bit clock data, digital audio music and master clock. The master clock signal is generated inside the DAC and sent to the CD-transport. Combining this digital data transfer technique with the CEC belt-drive system, CEC has created audio reproduction free from motor noise.
SUPPERLINK details
CEC’s SUPERLINK system transmits these signals separately with multiple cables, requiring no encoding/decoding process for data transmission. The clock signals from the D/A converter’s master clock generator are used to achieve synchronization of the transport and the D/A converter. This minimizes deterioration of the music signal during transmission. SUPERLINK is on TL 2N, TL0 3.0, DA0 3.0, and the new DA SL. An external master clock input is available to further enhance the performance.
MCK(Master Clock): The CD transport receives the master clock signal from the D/A converter through this line, and functions as a slave to the DA converter. This enables complete synchronization of transport of audio data.
BCK(Bit Clock): Sends bitclock signals, required for digital data bit identification(e.g. sampling frequency) or signal readout, from the CD transport to the D/A converter.
LRCK(L/R Clock): Sends left/right identification clock signals from the CD transport to the D/A converter.
DATA: Sends audio data from the CD transport to the DA converter.
Warranty for CEC New Products
When you order CEC products through Audio Union you warranty is automatically registered. The CEC warranty is 2 years parts and labor. CEC reserves the right to repair or replace a product and only new products are covered by warranty. Warranty is not transferable. Warranty does not cover damage caused by the user. In the America’s warranty service is provided by Audio Union. For warranty service contact tom@audio-union.com or use the contact form.
Service or Repair
CEC products are serviced by Audio Union in the America’s. Audio Union only distributes and services 120 Volt CEC products, see table below. For more information contact tom@audio-union.com or use the contact form. Belts and service parts can be ordered using the contact form. Please note: 100 volt products are not for export from Japan.
Table of EAN/JAN codes
| Model | Color | Voltage | EAN/JAN code |
| CD5 | Silver | 100 V | 4992287819009 |
| 120 V | 4992287819306 | ||
| 230 V | 4992287819405 | ||
| Black | 100 V | 4992287819016 | |
| 120 V | 4992287819313 | ||
| 230 V | 4992287819412 | ||
| TL5 | Silver | 100 V | 4992287820005 |
| 120 V | 4992287820302 | ||
| 230 V | 4992287820401 | ||
| Black | 100 V | 4992287820012 | |
| 120 V | 4992287820319 | ||
| 230 V | 4992287820418 | ||
| TL3 3.0 | Silver | 100 V | 4992287821002 |
| Black | 100 V | 4992287821019 | |
| Tl2N | Silver | 120 V | 4992287821309 |
| 230 V | 4992287821408 | ||
| Black | 120 V | 4992287821316 | |
| 230 V | 4992287821415 | ||
| DA5 | Silver | 100 V | 4992287155008 |
| 120 V | 4992287155305 | ||
| 230 V | 4992287155404 | ||
| Black | 100 V | 4992287155015 | |
| 120 V | 4992287155312 | ||
| 230 V | 4992287155411 | ||
| DA3EX | Silver | 100 V | 4992287102002 |
| Black | 100 V | 4992287102019 | |
| DA SL | Silver | 120 V | 4992287102309 |
| 230 V | 4992287102408 | ||
| Black | 120 V | 4992287102316 | |
| 230 V | 4992287102415 |