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Modwright Transporter VS Opera Droplet 5.0 CDP.

I have heard the Droplet 5.0 and like it very much. It is now is available with a coaxial digital input designed to go with a new 24/96 streaming product from the same company called the Digital Box 1.0. With these two products linked you end up with a streaming solution not unlike what the MWT offers.

The main similarities are between them as I see it are - 24/96 streaming, tube based output, true balanced connections, and price.

I am interested in hearing from anyone who has heard both the Droplet 5.0 (with or without a streaming device attached) and also heard the MWT. My only interest is to know which sounds better as both systems are almost identical in what they offer. Thanks for any help.
chillinimrod
jax2
3,031 posts
 
You bet - I don't think it's really a hijack - more an addendum as that info goes a long way in MWTP considerations.

and in my system, the EML 5U4G and Tung-Sol 6SN7GT round plates have produced the best sound.

This has been my experience as well. This is the combination I'm using.

For the record, I'm running wireless from two stories above my base station (in my basement). Like Grant, I have a repeater (Airport Express) in the same room with my MWTP and have not had any problems at all with dropouts or timeouts, rebuffering, etc. That's not to say they're not unheard of, just simply that I haven't had it come up for me. A possible runaround is to wire your network via Ethernet. I know in Grant's case this is impractical, as it is with my own setup. Reports are that a wired connection is slightly better than via wireless. The wireless sound on my system is excellent, and it is my digital reference as well. I'm baffled by Grant's connection problems as well. The only thing I could think of was that it could be wireless interference where he lives (I think the TP runs on a frequency similar to some older portable phones). No doubt it is very frustrating.

For the OP's benefit - you may want to go over to the Audiocircle Modwright forum and ask there if anyone using the MWTP has compared with the Droplet and can comment on that comparison.
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mrjstark
1,112 posts
 
Droplet 3.1 yes, but 5.0 doesn't have digital or usb ins. As far as the info on their website goes.
chillinimrod OP
11 posts
 
Thanks for all the responses. i still would like to hear from someone who has heard both units but it is a bit of a long shot I know.
Mrjstark, I find Opera are not so great at updating there website so that would explain there being no reference to the digital in on the Droplet 5.0. They are definitely doing it as I had one in my home recently.
Keep the opinions coming!
mrjstark
1,112 posts
 
I see.
In that case ..... Droplet 5.0 looks like very interesting piece.

Droplet I own (almost 2yo) works/sounds great and it would be hard to get rid of. For what you have in mind, I have two HPA Red Wine Audio Isabella DACs on order (should be finished in a week) but Opera's new approach seems very intrigue to say the least.

As a side note -
I have used Droplet 5.0 as a stand alone CDP and as a transport with Isabellina DAC build-in my Isabella preamp (now traded towards the HPA)
[RWA HPA works as a digital preamp with volume control and remote. As much as I liked my RWA Isabella pre, I will be better of with two HPAs since I separated my analog and digital rig in both systems]

Modwight TP has its own followers and it shouldn't be a surprise. Personally, I do not recall hearing MTP recently so I can't make any meaningful suggestions except that I am not giving up on my silver disks ......... even with up coming RWA HPAs (it also has USB in).

Few other ideas that come to mind are:

- wait a bit for new squeezebox touch with native handling of 24/96 files
(I'm sure mods for it will come soon after its release in US ) + DAC
- new Modwright Oppo BDP 83 mods

Anyway - it's you who has to figure out what's best for your system.

Mariusz
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