2. digital
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Why upgrade transport???

My front end is a Pioneer PD65 used as a transport via illuminati D60 to an Assemblage D2D-1 jitter reducer/upsampler, via I2Se cable to an Assemblage DAC 3.0, which has upgrades including the Burr Brown DF1704 24/96 filter and OPA 627 op amps. The rest of my system is run balanced out of the 3.0.

My question is, since the D2D-1 does both reclocking and upsampling to 24/96, would there be any benefit to a transport upgrade, and what could I expect? I was looking at a moderate upgrade such as to the Sonic Frontiers SFT, or maybe a Meridian. The setup will be used only for CD music, and not for SACD or DVD.

As a second option, are there relatively simple mods to the PD65, which would provide a sonically better front end, such as disconecting the D/A portion of the circuitry, improving the power cord, sound coat, or others?

As always, thanks for your comments and help,

Tim
mitch2
philefreak
423 posts
 
Audio Note CDT-two is a great transport!Transport will make a big difference,if transports were more correct then DACs could be a lot simpler.I had a PD-95 before the A.N.and was made a believer instantly.
tireguy
1,964 posts
 
Well to best of my understanding the transport is one if not the most important components of a digital system. First of all you must realized that digital is a serious of 1's and 0's a cheaper transport may loose or rearrange what is actually suppose to be happening. I also strongly believe in starting upstream and then moving down, what is lost early can not be gained later in the chain. So to insure a good correct stream of 1's and 0's you need a good transport and first rate cables, there is a HUGE difference in the sound of digital cables try a few you will see what I mean. This is a controversial subject in the audiophile world some feel a transport is THE MOST important component some feel it doesn't matter at all(they see it as 1's and 0's so what does it matter as long as they get to a good jitter reductin device and then into a good DAC) Personally if digital is your only source I think it is plain foolish to skimp, I understand why vinyl guys aren't into digital regardless of what they do it isn't-usually- going to be better. ~Tim
drrdiamond
671 posts
 
I agree with Tireguy.
The transport is the most important part of the digital equation.
I use to have a Rotel player; I upgraded to a Krell D to A, but heard little difference; then I upgraded the transport to the big EAD, and WOW, what a difference.
Buy a new transport.

Richard
jvogt
212 posts
 
I owned a Denon 1620 which I used for years as a transport,
then upgraded to an EAD T-1000. The latter was an improvement. About two years ago I sold my EAD and got
a Mark Levinson #37. This was an even bigger improvement
over the EAD. The jitter control circuitry in the better
transports can make a substantial improvement in sound.
mitch2 OP
3,961 posts
 
Thanks everyone for your comments and recommendations. As I suspected, I will probably hear a significant difference with a better transport. However, I need to stay within a budget in the ballpark of $1000 used. I have heard great things about a relatively inexpensive transport, the Vecteur D-2. I have also considered the Sonic Frontiers SFT-1 and Wadia 22. Any comments about these, or further suggestions?

Tim
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