ModWright Transporter

I have had my stock Transporter for about month and a half, and after a well break-in I find it very hard to tell the differences between my CD Player, which to my ears sounds very good and my Transporter. It’s only after hours of listening that The Transporter wins out only because it does go a little deeper in the bass and the highs do at times appear to be more extended. It also at times gives me the feeling that the mid-range is more detail, voices sound more fleshed out. But when I try to A & B them, they sound pretty much the same. I can’t see spending more money for the mod, maybe further down the road when I read more feedback on the difference between the two, but for now it sounds great as is.

I have had my Transporter now for almost one month. I am enjoying it immensely, good sound, great convenience, and easy for my my wife to use as well.
My Audio Research CD7 arrived on Thursday. With only 48 hours on it it smokes the Transporter. Not even close.
When multitasking the Transporter cannot be beat but for late night listening its the CD7 that gets the nod.
It will be interesting to see if others go for the Modwright mod. Hope people will post their results. I have read the review on six moons on the mod, but will wait for a bit until i go for the mod it is just a question of time...
Beam me up Scotty

I have listened to both extensively. I went with the MW and am very glad I did. The TP is teriffic, but the MW is to my ears more listenable. Warmer and much more musical. Sounds live, sometimes scarily so (as in I am startled by a sound that seems to come from something in the room as opposed to from a recording).

The mod makes this a pretty expensive source. However, it can be run directly from power to speaker w/no pre and sounds great that way. I suppose the stock can be used that way, but based on my listening a pre helps more with the stock. I assume because the stock is a tad cold and the pre helps with that.

Either way you go, digital streaming is the greatest. Most fun I have had with my music for ages.

I've borrowed a Transporter for the week-end from my local dealer to compare it to my current Sonos/PS Audio DAC combo. I have to say that I am underwhelmed thus far by the stock Transporter. While the sound is more 'analog' and better with listening fatigue than the Sonos combo, it lacks dynamics and presence - at least in what I've listened to so far (Porcupine Tree, Sting, Peter Gabriel, Steely Dan, Dave Brubeck). I ran the Transporter through my PS Audio DAC for awhile and it's closer to the sound I'm looking for but still not there. For my budget, the Transporter is not worth the extra $1650 (the cost difference between the Transporter and the Sonos ZP-80), let alone another $2,000 for what the ModWright "might" bring me. If I try a mod on faith, it will be the $500 Cullen Circuits mod for Sonos.

I still believe in the approach of the Transporter (and Sonos), but it's not there yet. I could be blown away by the ModWright, but hearing is believing and until I can hear it I remain skeptical. Besides, there will likely be many solutions in the coming months to compete on this front. I think most equipment manufacturers see the writing on the wall and are heading that direction. Until I hear something I really like (and can afford), I'll make due with my current setup and wait.

I've considered the transporter and the MW version, but I've been quite satisfied with my Apogee Duet.