CD transport vs streamer?

Hi Misstl,

I'm curious, did you ever compare the Transporter as a stand-alone front-end hooked up with the Lavry as the external DAC ($3000 combo), to the Squeeezbox front-end/ Lavry DAC Combo ($1400 combo).

Or did you just compare the Transporter with built-in DAC ($2000) to the Squeezebox/ Lavry combo ($1400) and decide that it wasn't worth an extra $600 to go with the built-in Transporter's DAC, because it was deemed not as good as the Lavry DAC for less money?

Because I'm prepared to suggest that if you're happy with your Squeezebox/Lavry setup, than you will be ecstatic with the Transporter/Lavry Combo (however $3000 is double the price of your current setup), but since you already own the great Lavry DAC, then you should consider picking up a used Transporter to use as your front-end for around $1400.

The following link and concurrent thread goes into some further detail if you're interested:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ddgtl&1246278090

The title of the thread is "How good of a Dac is the Logitech Transporter, but I'm suggesting that the title of the thread could very well be, " How good of a Transport is the Logitech Transporter."

I hope you enjoy it,

Rich

I agree with Rbstehno about trying a jitter box between your Squeezebox and DAC, something like a Genesis Lens or Assemblage, or wait for the upcoming PS Audio Lens. I've used a number of these with quite good results. It may not bring things into the same league as your Jason transport, but it will likely add substantial improvements.

You might also consider an Olive as a transport. I use a couple IMS, which sort of splits the difference between a transport and computer -- it's a computer hard drive built with audio in mind, with transport functionality and visuals. It's even better if you can find one with mods (Red Wine used to do them, as did Bolder). Modded, it holds its own with my DIY CD-pro2m and my North Star transport (which upsamples the output).

Also, you didn't mention models, but you might experiment with digital cables. IMS, they do sound different. My favorite IMS is the Harmonic Technology Cyberlight/ Photon, which reveals a great sense of ease and openness. I've also had good results with Ridge St. Poiema, Tara One and Stealth Sextet digital cables. Good budget options are the Grover and Analysis + Digital Oval.

Thanks for the link to the other thread, Rich. It was an interesting read.

No, I did not directly compare the SB3/Lavry with the Transporter/Lavry as I didn't have them in-house at the same time. While the Transporter was very good, I do agree with those who say its DAC is a bit on the clinical side.

However, from a budget standpoint, spending $2K to use the Transporter as a transport only is out of whack for my system.

I'm quite pleased with the performance of my system right now, so I guess I'm revealing the modest limits of my audiophileness. I've been far more focused on the conversion of my LP and open reel music collection to digital than chasing equipment changes the past few years.

Hi Mlsstl,

Fair enough, I was just curious to see if others had heard the differnecnces that I have described regarding the Transporter as a streamer only, as compared to the Squeezebox as a streamer only, but I now understand that you owned them at different times.

Happy Listening,
Rich

Jglim, Im not surprised that the CD sounds better, I have heard the Jason/Medea and its a very nice player, have you tried connecting it direct to amp?