just a thought, but more of a query, was there an actual A-B using the same equipment and the same material, both in CD and LP for the comparison??...what were the distinct characteristics that made you say that the CDT-17A's sound reproduction is comparable to a Vinyl/TT Set-up...
PS: I'm an owner of a Mundorfed Cayin CDT-15a, thanks! 
Thanks bro for the question, 'will be glad to reply.
You're right, it was not played side-by-side with a TT setup, but rather with another CDP.
The main objective of the audition was mainly to compare the two CDPs. This is how it all started. However, we were suprised at the results. I'm not going to elaborate on the comparison of the two CDPs, since that's not your query.
I'm not a TT owner, but I have experience with them thru friends' setup, listening sesstions, and even audio shows of course.
My impressions of a TT setup (which I envy a lot) are often having a bigger soundstage, much rounder detail, heavy sounding, and the separation and layering of performers and/or instruments on better systems. However, in as much as I would like to be able to own a TT, I don't have the patience and resource for it. Kaya hanggang pakinig na lang ako in amazement. Asside from the tics and pops for course, those impressions are basically what I remember about the general sound of TT setups.
With the Cayin CDT-17A, the first impression was the very big soundstage, that's one. I remember how we had to move our seats a couple or three feet back against the wall and the door of the room. I remember asking my friend why started looking at the ceiling and walls of the room. And he said I'm trying to see (or image maybe) the expanse of the soundstage in the room. As in WHOWA! We were all surprised and got overwhelmed immediately at the start.
Next, was that big heavy, ballsy bass sound. I think I remember that my friend mentioned he did not realize his speakers could play such bass. I beleive he's been trying to improve on this by experimenting with different cables and interconnects in the past. Upon hearing the CDT-17A, someone immediately said, "so that was the missing link". My friend may have learned that he ONLY needed the CDT-17A to satisfy his bass need. I suppose that's the last of his cable and interconnect changing when he get's his new CDP.
Regarding the detail, no question about it. It was full of well rounded, crunchy detail and so lively. The music was very dynamic. Layering was great. There was clear spacing between instruments. The soundstage was deep as it is wide. Voices were so realistic, which was the exact comment that my friend's dad said when he heard the setup. By the way, his dad was not into audio.
We'll okay, it may not sound EXACTLY AS a TT would sound probably. But it was very, very close enough that the difference, for me, was very minimal. Thus, it made me think of getting this CDP and probably forget about my TT craving.
But then, these are my impressions based on experiences of other TT setups that I've heard, which I used as basis for my assesment of the performance of CDT-17A.
Thanks.
