2. digital
  3. 1059744075

Transport Recommendations Please.

I have a headphone system. The digital front end consists of a Rega Planet (used as a transport) going into a Grace 901 headphone dac/amplifier and then into Sennheiser HD600 cans via Cardas Cabling. The sound is good (for digital) but I was wondering if purchasing a transport would improve the digital signal. My budget would be around $800 for a transport. Basically I have two questions: 1) is it worth it? and 2) if so, what should I get? Thanks in advance..

-Rich
rich62
rgd
656 posts
 
Rich - talk to Steve over at Empirical Audio. He is reported to be doing wonders with modding Sony DVP-S7700 units and I think that a used unit bought here and adding in his mods should be somewhere near your budget target.
danner
202 posts
 
Digital cables also make a substantial difference. Cardas Lightning 15 has warm bass and mids while retaining detail in the highs. The cable looks like a Cardas Golden Reference.
danner
202 posts
 
Also, aftermarket headphone cable makes another significant difference with HD600s. The Cardas will be more open with good extension on both ends. My favorite, the Stefan Audio Arts Equinox gives a more natural (some would say laid-back) sound IMO. (www.stefanaudioart.com/EquinoxHD600.htm)
rich62 OP
30 posts
 
Thanks for your recommendations. Do you think that a stock DVP-S7700 Sony DVD player would be a better transport then the Rega?
sonicbeauty
324 posts
 
No question that the S7700 should outclass the Rega as a transport, because of the superiority of the DVD tacking and the copper-clad tank-like build. Not even close.
cheers!
More to discover