Your top ten CD transport???

Steve
I currently enjoy the Northstar 192 DAC and Transport with the 12 cable connector. Curious what modifications you have made to the unit
Thanks

Gammajo - The Northstar Transport and DAC both get I2S mods to improve the speed and edge-rates and eliminate reflections. This alone makes a big difference in the I2S. Then I do a lot of analog, power mods and PC board improvements to the 192 DAC. It is truly world-class when finished. The mods for both are $1K.

I also have two customers that I am doing Superclock4 mods to the Transport. Have not finished these yet. This is around $550.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
Manufacturer

Steve, when one is using the Northstar transport, it is necessary to use a DAC with I2S input to get the best results. But there aren't so many around with this input.

Chris

Steve
What do you think of balanced digital connections?

"Steve, when one is using the Northstar transport, it is necessary to use a DAC with I2S input to get the best results.?"

It will outperform all S/PDIF transports using I2S after it is modded. That is probably enough motivation to use I2S.

"What do you think of balanced digital connections?"

They can be better than some stock S/PDIF interfaces. Depends entirely on the input circuit in the DAC. Some convert immediately to single-ended, so there is no benefit at all for the AES/EBU over the S/PDIF. Once I mod the S/PDIF interface, it is just as good as the AES. Usually, if both interfaces are designed correctly, the AES will sound better due to the common-mode rejection. Still not as good as an I2S interface though.

Steve N.