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CEC TL 51XR CD Transport This TL 51X R has been serviced and upgraded with all boards except DAC board being recapped and solder joints re-flowed by @SonicArt The DAC board in not working and is disconnected from the power supply. It could be removed and fixed according to Mark but would be sent to CEC for repair i understand. It never bothered me sufficiently to do this as the DAC I use is way more resolving and musical. So was very happy with this unit as a transport. It hasn't been used heavily as I have others that I am also selling to downsize. The Lampizator hack to the spdif IMO r
# CEC TL 51XR (DAC) – Buyer Notes
On the asking price: At AUD $1,350, this CEC is pitched well above the current used market. Your own comparable data shows a median asking of AUD $990 with a 75th percentile ceiling of AUD $1,128—this listing sits roughly 20% above that upper bound. The CEC TL 51XR is a capable transport-grade DAC from the early 2010s, but it's not a flagship that commands premium pricing on the used circuit. Unless the unit is essentially mint with all original packaging and documentation, AUD $1,350 feels ambitious. Expect the seller to negotiate closer to AUD $1,050–1,100 if condition is merely good.
What to verify: Ask for the unit's age and whether it has been serviced or recapped—CEC's power supply components can drift after a decade-plus of use, affecting sound quality subtly. Confirm the digital input (coax/optical) and USB connections are responsive and that there are no audible clicks or dropouts when switching sources. Check whether the original power cable and any USB adapters are included; replacements add cost. Request a brief listening demo if possible; a dead or rolled-off top end often signals aging output capacitors.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
CEC, or Chuo Denki Co., traces its roots to Tokyo, Japan, where it was founded in 1954 amid the nascent audio industry. That same year, the company pioneered Japan's first belt-drive turntable mechanisms, which gained rapid adoption by major manufacturers worldwide, including Grundig, Marantz, Sony, and Pioneer. From high-precision phono motors to full turntables, CEC quickly established itself as a leading OEM supplier, laying the groundwork for its enduring legacy in mechanical innovation.
The brand's product focus has evolved to center on digital playback, particularly its signature belt-drive CD transports and complementary DACs. Iconic models like the 1991 TL1—the world's first belt-driven CD transport—set the standard, protected by CEC's global patents for reducing jitter and acoustic feedback. Today, the lineup features ultra-premium offerings such as the flagship TL0 3.0 with dual belts, suspended chassis, external power supply, and proprietary Superlink interface, alongside models like the TL5, TL2N, CD5 player/DAC, and DA5.
Positioned firmly in the ultra-high-end market, CEC commands respect among discerning audiophiles for its mechanical purity and refusal to abandon CD as a viable medium. With flagship pricing around $34,000 and manufacturing returned exclusively to Japan since 2011, it appeals to niche collectors seeking boutique refinement over mass-market convenience, its transports praised for rich, musical retrieval that rivals streaming in sophistication.
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