2. digital
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Transport - does it matter to the sound at all?

I wanted to start this thread, to gain some insight into peoples experiences on this subject.
My view: From the outset of CD and digital media, we were force fed the view that 'its digital so always sounds the same whatever' ideology. Remember the jam on the cd, and it doesn't skip. Since these naive beginning we quickly found out it did matter, and the quality of components, interconnects (its wire isn't it so doesn't affect the sound?) and design DID affect the sound. So I firmly believe that a transport does affect the signal quality and final sound output in a big way. There are transformers, capacitors, boards, wires, all the components that have such a bearing on quality output on all the other components in a system. And the motor, the bearings, the transport mechanism, jitter correction, noise, damping, vibration from itself and speaker interaction ALL will affect the sound.

My question, what are the views on this balance between cost on a DAC and the transport. Are many of us getting it wrong bolting on Sony DVD players to high quality DACs? And are many of the 'quality transports" out there just re-boxed philips units. It does appear very few manufactures build their own transports aka Meridain, Linn and Naim to mention a few.

It would be great to see a high quality transport kit out there, which would allow a full transport and kit DIY project, with mods and part upgrades available at an affordable price.

I haven't the money at present to upgrade my DAC, which is an upgraded Audio Note DAC 1.1 and Zero transport, but I am very happy it at the moment as it was a huge jump over oversampling units I had owned previously.
astrostar59

Showing 1 response by getheleadout

getheleadout
144 posts
 
Transports do matter, I'm currently using a highly RAM modified CEC TL51X and it sounds COMPLETELY different than other transports I've tried.

I think what may give the, transports don't matter myth, some legs is that in my experience, even very inexpensive CD/DVD players can make good transports.

The sound quality of some very low end DVD/CD players has gotten insanely good.

It's when you try the get that extra 15 percent or so of sound quality, that you need to step-up to what is usually a much more expensive transport.

You also need a system capable of passing on the improvement.

Another myth I believe exist is with the "digital cable" used to connect the transport and DAC. Although a number of inexpensive cables sound good. If you want the best, it's going to cost you. And yes, it makes a big difference.
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