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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
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
IMO, you are confusing the USB interface performance with the computer. Mac Mini is a fine source device if used with a good async USB interface. Newer ones are better, and always try all of the USB ports. They do vary in performance.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
cal3713's avatar
cal3713 OP
1,421 posts
 
I guess my post did perhaps give that impression, but I've actually used all three of the Mini's output options and didn't really like any of them (hence saying I don't like it generally as a transport). I've tried the USB output, the optical output, and used an HDMI de-embedder with a coax output... all feeding my PW DAC. I know there are issues with each of these connection methods, but I didn't like any of them. The USB on my other computers was better and the optical was no-better than optical out of a PS3 (not a real good comparison because cables weren't matched, but still).

In any case, hopefully the new asynchronous USB interface on the Mark II will address these issues.
cal3713's avatar
cal3713 OP
1,421 posts
 
Well, that did it. Only one day of burn-in, but wow, that's the best music I've ever heard out of the system... stayed up all night listening. The Mark II upgrade completely changes the nature of the PW DAC, the imaging is just spectacular.

And for those using a mini in the future, here are a couple links to cd speed limiting software. If you're playing a disk directly instead of ripping, it's a necessity to keep the mini quiet.

Mac Side: http://discrotate.sourceforge.net/
Windows Side: http://cdslow.webhost.ru/en/cdslow/index.html

I think I view the Mark II upgrade as mandatory if you're going with the PW DAC.
cal3713's avatar
cal3713 OP
1,421 posts
 
Now if I can just get a hold of a Thiel smart sub, I'll stop the equipment search and only spend money on music. It's nice to have the digital side finished.
sacman
125 posts
 
Have you tried the Network Bridge option with the PWD? I prefer sending my flac files to the PWD via the bridge than using my Sony SCD777ES as transport.

QN
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