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Transport - will it really make an improvement

Looking for honest advice. I am considering buying a better transport, and cant yet convince myself that it will really make an improvement in my system. At present, I am using a Pioneer elite DV-05 dvd player as a transport with an outboard, Assemblage, platnum dac and upsampler. I am overwhelmed with the improvements the dac made in my system, in lieu of using the inboard dac in the Pioneer Elite. However, I'm just not convinced, due to lack of digital knowledge, that a digital output from one source could be that much better than another. I seam to think that differences in quality of cd players, are mainly attributable to their internal dac's and not the transport or digital side. Of course, I maybe completely wrong!! On the other hand, I would hope to expect a difference if comparing my 500.00 dvd player, to say a 6k transport, but are not looking to spend any where near that much money. Please enlighten me with some education, and if you have any recommendations on a used transport for around 1k. Thanks, Steve

Oh, in case it matters, I have a pair of Innersound Eros MK1 electrostats with their new xover bass amp and ESL amp + good cables.
sfrounds

Showing 5 responses by jcaudio

jcaudio's avatar
jcaudio
237 posts
 
I agree that the transport is at least if not much more important than the DAC. If I have a customer wanting to spend $5000 as an example for a digital system I find in most cases the customer will think of $1000 on a transport and $4000 for the DAC. We have found much more significant improvements in spending maybe $3000 for the transport and $2000 for the DAC. As an example, we have gotten better results here using a $3000 transport with a $1800 DAC than with using a $1000 transport with even a $8000 DAC.
jcaudio's avatar
jcaudio
237 posts
 
In response to Electrostaticman: The Audionote CDT-2 ($2950)transport top loading with Black Gate Caps in the power supply and a Audionote DAC One.1x Signature ($1499) or 2.1X ($1799) is an awesome combo.
jcaudio's avatar
jcaudio
237 posts
 
The power supply of the transport is also EXTREMELY important. This is why we do power cord demonstrations on the transport. Look at the power supply of most units including the Audiomeca which is distributed in this country by Sanibel Sound a subsidiary of Hi Fi Farm. Then go to your nearest Audionote dealer and open it up. Just having a external power supply does not guarantee anything. In fact, some designers feel the cord connecting the power supply to the unit is a source of R.F. contamination. Rather than quibbling as to which brand is better I think the question has been answered. Good transports make a difference. Find a dealer you trust and seek their advice
jcaudio's avatar
jcaudio
237 posts
 
By the way Audionote does make a very good dedicated transport for $999 retail since I notice SFSOUNDS was looking for something in that price range.
jcaudio's avatar
jcaudio
237 posts
 
A good transport does do a better job of controling jitter although some of that jitter control is being handled at the DAC now on some machines. A good transport IMHO will allow you to hear more of what's on a cd. We actually hear things we didn't know was on the disc as we move up in transports. Again this will depend on the equipment used! On the equipment we have tried we prefer the RCA outputs.
To be honest I haven't felt a desire to try the jitter reduction devices as the digital we get is so awesome as it is I have felt no longing. Maybe someone else who uses a high quality transport and DAC can answer that one for you.
Finally a good quality transport should work equally well with most DAC's. Many people who are using cd players etc. as transports probably have not heard their DAC's at their best. We have sent even a $999 dedicated transport to people who were using VERY expensive cd players as transports and all have noticed a big improvement. Even at this modest price point. Hope his helps some.
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