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Transport For Use w/ MF Trivista 21

Just picked up this dac, and currently have at my disposal both a Pioneer Elite DV45a and a modded Sony DVP-NS500v universal player. Also got a Stereovox DV2 dig cable, which seems to be widely praised as a great value in my price range.

So, my question is are these reasonably good matches as transport for the TriVista, and to get significant improvement over them, what would I need to move up to? Is there a "giant killer" transport that isn't a computer?

My guess is that in a few years, I'll probably reluctantly move to a server as transport, but I am reluctant to invite Bill Gates or Steve Jobs into my listening room.

Just to put it all in perspective, vinyl is my current strong preference and about 90% of my listening is usually LP. Thanks for your opinions,
Spencer
128x128sbank
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stanwal's avatar
stanwal
3,147 posts
 
I use a Meridian 200. Look at Sam Tellig's conversation with Anthony Michaelson , Musical Fidelity's owner, in Stereophile. He told Sam the transport was not critical with the 21 and about anything would do.
solentgreen
45 posts
 
I have used a Trivista 21 in my system for some 4 years now. I initially used a Esoteric P700 transport which has been upgraded with replacement Trichord Research digital output board plus replacement master clock with power supply. This combination is surprisingly good and has been compared with friends quite favourably to a Krell MD1 transport; with the modded Esoteric mainly lacking in the bottom end against the Krell's traditional area of strength.

Then later, I got a Modwright Sony 999ES, and found that the Sony 999 to be, as TVAD noted, surprisingly good in that it clearly outperformed the Esoteric, especially in the bass area where the latter was weak. Its was a long time ago but from memory, I would say the 999 is at least the equal of, if not better than the Krell MD1, working into the Trivista.

And with respect to Stanwal's comment, my experience indicate that Anthony Michaelson's comment that the transport does not matter, to be more salemen's chat than an accurate statement. It does.

Lastly, the Trivista 21 really is a very good DAC. When I got the Modwright, I fully expected to be able to sell the Trivista, based on most opinions from Audiogon on this point. Well, surprise, I found that I could not bring myself to sell it; it has its own set of strengths that made me kept both in my system in the end. The latter comprises Aesthetix Calypso pre-amp; Krell FPB300c power driving Von Schweikert VR4jr speakers. System works off a Hydra 8, and cables are predominantky VH Audio with Black Sand Silver Ref. & Pure Note Paragon power cables.

Hope this helps.
sbank's avatar
sbank OP
3,378 posts
 
Solentgreen, what have you learned regarding power cables on the Trivista 21?

Everyone, so other than trial and error, any advice on how to decide if a certain transport is likely to be an improvement or not?

One potential candidate is the Alesis 9600, due to all the other tremendous functionality it brings. I've heard modded ones sound great, but I don't know if the mods affect mainly the transport or the dac side. Cheers,

Spencer
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