Because the Avatar is no longer in production, a buyer can only buy one from a gray-market seller or second-hand from an individual seller. Buying one from an unauthorised seller in China has its risks, and there is no Denafrips warranty or repair parts available. Denafrips will still likely repair one for a fee if they still have the necessary parts available. I would normally never buy an audio product from a gray-market seller, but I had no choice because I was determined to buy one and I am now very glad that I did because I am so happy with its sound quality production, and at $1,500 it’s unbelievably good value-for-the-money.
I like the fact the CDT3 Mk3 has US support, through Todd, and can be repaired here (if need be); gives me peace of mind for the $5K investment. That, and the build, were enough for me to give it a whirl. I’ve had it awhile now, and the more I play it the more I LOVE it and feel it is a final piece. I cannot say enough good things about this transport; it has exceeded expectations.
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I feel the same about my Jay’s CDT2-Mk3. I added isoacoustic feet and the “bone” clamp and love the sound. Best digital playback I’ve heard so far.
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Right on! : ). The CDT3 comes with Soundcare Superspike feet, they seem to be a solid design and are well made . . . I wonder how they compare to the Isoacoustic feet? I put Isoacoustic feet under my QLN P3 speakers and was pretty surprised by the improvements.
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I put the Iso Acoustics Pucks under my CDT2 Mk3 but haven’t seen any real reason to do so with the CDT3 as I think the Soundcare Superspikes are doing a fine job and I suspect Jay chose them for a reason.
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Yep, I do not feel a need to change those Soundcare feet . . . was just musing out loud : ).
So what is this “bone clamp” I keep seeing mentioned?
I’ve tried several Google searches without luck.
$300 upgraded clamp
It’s not bone it’s a composite and it’s made by Headquarter Audio in Germany. I think if you scroll down on the Jay’s product page it’s there. I had one of the first ones to come out and I like what it does and have never used the Jay’s one that came with it since. To me on my system it’s worth it.
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Finite Elemente Cerapucs under the Superspikes and all resting on original Symposium platforms. Adds a touch more of everything we like.
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Who is Todd in Texas?
I was considering the PS Audio SACD player, which is currently $3999. US warranty support is a big plus, so CDT3 Mk3 warranty support puts this unit on my radar, so could someone post a link to Todd?
I believe the CDT3 Mk3 comes with a one year warranty and the PerfectWave SACD three year warranty.
I doubt that anyone has been able to hear both transports so warranty, reviews and price are the only bits of info available to decide between the two transports.
US sales and service for Jay’s Audio https://www.tekaudiospecialties.com/jay-s-audio
The CDT3 is the real deal sonically. I think it will be hard to beat. The whole R side of the unit is dedicated to the best possible CLK and its dedicated super regs PSU for example (image below). I think that’s likely extremely important for this and a large part of the resulting sonic achivement.
Unfortunately I have not been able to compare directly to the PS Audio SACD as I don’t know anyone personally who has one. TK
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If it was capable of playing SACDs, I’d buy one in a minute. Kinda bummed it’s not compatible.
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Have to say, work of art.
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Yes, totally understand. And I have an Oppo BDP that can play SACD. And have the HDMI I2S audio stripper for it, etc. And I’d truly love to hear SACD on the PS Audio player. I’m sure it’s quite good.
But the reality is, years ago I tried to go all in on SACD disks. I tried, serious. But the music I liked just wasn’t really available and at the end of the day, only wound up with about 20 or so SACD disks that I keep in a box. Many are just demos.
OTOH the boxes containing CD’s I absolutely love have been accumulating for decades, and still growing (eg Sabrina Malheiros). At least well over 10x that SACD total, probably even a lot higher (I haven’t inventoried). Even more than the vinyl album boxes 
And I can say from experience the CDT3 plays them about as well as you will ever hope to hear them, my ears suggest. My best audio pal agrees 100% and already has one as well.
That’s just the unfortunate SACD reality for most of us I think, FWIW. TK
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Yup. I can see that. Especially given that DSD64 (the format underlying SACD)/128/256 seems to be available for purchase now via download, you make a good case for it…