need suggestions - transport for EVS Millenium Dac


I have an EVS millenium dac which takes up to 24/96 input
I am currently running my cal icon to it via coax
It sounds very nice and revealing but I can't help thinking that I can still improve on the transport

not wanting to spend a ton of money ($400 -$800)

need input on best transports Cal Delta? Theta? which models? DVD?
favor picking up a used piece on audiogon

are the new DVD-A/CD universal transports out yet?

any recommendations on cables?

thanks

Tom
128x128audiotomb
Glad that you were able to snag that piece. Now i just hope that you like it : )

I hear where you are coming from about Ric discontinuing production on these pieces. As it is, i currently have a Mill II, my brother is running a Mill 1A and i'm looking for another Mill 1A or 1B for my Father's system. As good as the Mill II is, the Mill 1A or 1B is not that far behind overall and is a REAL bargain in my mind.

As to digital cables, i'm currently "sperimentin" quite a bit. I've got an FMS Digital Data, a Tara Labs cable, a McCormack Wonderlink, a Canare with "true 75 ohm" connectors, etc... I'm waiting on the arrival of a Kimber Illuminations D-60 that should be here tomorrow. I've never "burned" any of these on my Mobie, but i really should. I think that doing such would level the playing field out somewhat. The McCormack needs it the most, as it is the brightest.

As it is, i currently prefer the Tara out of those mentioned. The D-60 is silver, so i want to see what that does to the system before i burn it in. Albert is sending up a couple of low cost cables for me to burn for him, so we'll see how those stack up also.

In terms of converting the DAC to balanced, i would not attempt it. Not only would this alter the sonics of the DAC, it would probably not be monetarily worthwhile. I'm sure that you can find someone to do it for you though, so long as you have the cash to wave in front of their face.

Can't help you with the Panasonic units, as i know nothing about them.

I still have to play with the system that the Mill II is in in terms of the grounding scheme. While what i have in mind might not solve the problem, i think it might help lower the noise floor of the system overall. Sean
>
Sean and Fly Fish

thanks for the insights

yes, I'll leave the EVS unbalanced

I have a few friends that have heard mine and want one, now I have to tell them no can do and to buy a new dvd and let ric gut it out

I think I will enjoy the teac transport, if it's anything like the wadias, should be an upgrade from the cal icon which will now go in my bedroom system (that remote will be nice over an old aria without one).

I plan on letting the universal transports market play out over time and maybe score a DVD/CD/DVD-A transport in a year or so. Not hip to 5 channel DVD output but the industry seems to be swaying that way, and some of the dvds I heard sounded much better in two channel (Steely Dan Two Against Nature plush video comes to mind)

I'm still clueless why cal audio is so into preamps and dvds now and has abandoned their single disc cd players and transports, why ruin your strong suite?

curious more about the coax digital cables - looking for something warm, neutral and revealing - tonal balance is my biggest concern

Thanks again to all

Tom
I would contact Tara and see what they have to say about the subject. Drop me an email and i'll try to take a look and see exactly what model i'm using. I think that it is long out of production, but maybe not. Sometimes manufacturers have some "new old stock" laying around. I was able to snag the very last pair of Magnan III's that David Magnan had this way ( courtesy of Duke at Audiokinesis ). The Tara is definitely more focused sounding than the more expensive FMS. As you might have also guessed, Tara is also known for making "smooth" i.e. "non-glaring" cables and that is how this one sounds.

I'll hook up the Illuminations D-60 tonight and see how that sounds. I have the feeling that it will need burning to "mellow" things out though. It is a silver cable with teflon jacket. Construction is different from most other cables though as it somewhat resembles the Magnan III's that i mentioned earlier. Sean
>
sean

thanks

I'm using that z cable that Ric Shultz sells

I can only comment on my other cables in my system

I use Harmonic Technology Pro SIlway II and Cardas Golden Cross. The Cross are very neutral and revealing, the pro silway just slightly less so. I have tried silver single ended interconnects and they were too bright with my arc ls 2 mk ii. I am selling it and moving up to an Arc ls 5 which is much warmer. So maybe silver is back in the cards

Thanks

Tom