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Transport for PS Audio PW DAC

Hi all, a few months back I decided it was time to upgrade my digital system... ended up buying a PWD to replace my Exemplar-Denon 2900. To be honest, it wasn't a huge change but I kept the PWD because it also helped out with the sound of my DirecTV and PS3.

Since I was wasting the great tubed analog output of the Exemplar, I sold it and bought an Oppo BDP-93 to serve as a true universal transport. Unfortunately it sounds a lot worse in this role than the Exemplar (it does, however, destroy my PS3 for blu-ray picture quality).

Anyway, I'm considering finding another player to use as a CD transport... I've thought about just buying an unmodified Denon 3910 (available for $150-200) and also the old Pioneer Elite PD-65 which is somewhat famous for it's transport abilities(also available under $300). Any other suggestions in this price range for a pure transport to pair with the DAC?

Thanks for the input... it's appreciated.
128x128cal3713
cal3713's avatar
cal3713 OP
1,421 posts
 
Yeah, I'm torn. I could also just give up on disks and start burning everything to a hard-drive. Of course I only have a laptop without a CD drive, so I still have to pay even to start that monstrous project.

Really the only thing that makes me consider cheaper/formerly expensive transports (perhaps as a bandaid before getting an i2s option) is how much better my Exemplar was than the Oppo. I could easily live for a long time with that level of band-aiding.
anonymoustao
127 posts
 
you could probably start that monstrous project for about $200-300, with a USB external cd drive and and an inexpensive NAS drive.

it'd certainly keep you busy while you save for the PWT and/or the Mark II upgrade for your PWD. and i suspect it would sound better than a $200-300 transport.
2chnlben
595 posts
 
PWD MK2 upgrade is essential. That upgrade and the Bridge will allow you to forego CD playback. You'll love it...no question about it.
levy03
442 posts
 
if you want a transport, get the PWT. beg or borrow because as others have mentioned, they are perfect for each other via I2S. also agree with the MK2 comments. it really is a must imho and takes the PWD up a notch.

the PWT is way over budget but worth every penny if you can make it work financially. i don't see much improvement coming from a $300 move here but could be wrong??. i do know the PWT/PWD sound fantastic together and the bridge comes really close via network. no regrets with this pair unless you have alot more money to spend.

good luck
cal3713's avatar
cal3713 OP
1,421 posts
 
Am I right in assuming that the MKII upgrade has very little effect on bridge playback?

If I go the music server route I could either stream over usb or use the bridge (which I don't currently have), so I don't think I would upgrade both. Since you can pick up used bridges, that's a little cheaper of an option...
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