2. digital
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Does the Transport make a significant difference?

Had been running a squeezebox with my Audio Note 2.1 Dac. Tried my basic Oppo dvd player as a transport and yikes what an improvement - even over my $3,000 invested Modwright Sony player (a little rough round the edges but dynamic and live-ly sounding). So wondering if the mantra of having a great source is the best place to start ... ie matching the Dac to a quality transport say CEC TL 51 or open the vaults and spring for a quality Audio Note, Esoteric, or even dcs transport will be worth the investment. How does this compare with say upgrading your amp or speakers or even cables? I know I should listen for myself but any good experience out there to draw on before I start getting crazy about checking out the used adverts?
ladavid
dcstep
1,518 posts
 
I bought a Playback Designs MPS-5 a few months back, a one-box CD/SACD solution with an Esoteric transport and a proprietery upsampling to DSD DAC and claimed "unmeasureable" jitter. When I use my Oppo or Pioneer Elite DV-58AV as a transport it's almost as good as using the MPS-5's internal transport. There IS a difference, but the removal of glare and digital uglyness seems to all happen in the DAC/clock. So, IMHO, transports matter, but the DAC/clock combination is the most important, by far.

Dave
chenc
23 posts
 
Watch out for the new PS Audio CD transport that's coming out in a few months. I'm saving for one now. It should be under $2k.
mykesinger
34 posts
 
i have a cec tl-2 along with a audio aero prima dac.

the older cec tl-1 and tl-2 is a really sweet transport. they are one of the few ones that can be repaired if needed
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
Shadorne, you are wrong in regards to your Jitter reduction theory, If the DAC is excellent at jitter rejection then it won't make a difference (one jitter immune input versus another should sound the same as it is all just bits). "

I addressed this very question in my review of the Benchmark DAC1, where I ran the Oppo 970 versus the Rega Saturn, both as transport to the Benchmark.

http://www.dagogo.com/BenchmarkDAC1-1of2.htm

martyk1, your honesty in being willing to admit your hearing might be compromised is refreshing.
martykl
3,578 posts
 
Doug,

It's a bitch blasting through that 35-49 demographic.

Marty
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