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What transport for my Birdland DAC?

I recently picked up a Birdland Odeon AG with the reclocker upgrade. I added this to my Nad C321i deck used as transport. Since I am commited to the source before upgrading my amp, I imagine I should look for a new trasport as well.
I have read a few past threads that deal with issues like power supplies and clock upgrades in the transport but over all, I haven't got a clue what to look for.
I need some reccomendations for a budget of say under a grand used.
My system is: Nad C321i as trans.;
Audio magic sorcerer digital cable;
Birdland Odeon AG w/upgrade;
Audio magic Excalibur IC;
Nad C370 used as main only;
GMA europas;
Thanks in advance. Scott
abbeydog

Showing 2 responses by bombaywalla

bombaywalla's avatar
bombaywalla
1,958 posts
 
This might be only partially relevant 'cuz I have a completely diff. system than what is being discussed here. However, my CDP also has the option of going direct to the amp.
I played around for a couple weeks with direct to the amp vs. thru my tube pre. What I concluded was going thru the tube pre was significantly better than going direct. I get better bass definition, better midrange & more tuneful high freq. I had to open up my CDP & adjust down the output voltage quite a bit before I got this result.
When I was using the default factory setting even when connected direct to the amp, the dig. vol. control was hovering around 50 (out of 100). This meant that the amp had too much gain. The sound was OK direct & much better than thru the pre. The pre volume control was close to zero!
Reducing the output voltage range helped a lot. The direct sound is significantly upgraded but still a bit lean vs. the thru-the-pre sound. I suppose the tubes give the overall sound that tube character that is so much more appealing.
YMMV. FWIW. IMHO.
bombaywalla's avatar
bombaywalla
1,958 posts
 
Abbeydog,

Sorry to steal your thread w/ this digression but I have been equally peeved w/ "audioengr" making 1-line recommendations & then exiting w/o providing any explanations! I have noticed this on AA & A'gon now for a long, long time. I have to admit, Audioengr doesn't do this 100% of the time but he does it enough times that one notices & gets annoyed.

Many here might or might not visiting Audioasylum so for those of you who do not know, "audioengr" = Steve Nugent of Empirical Audio in OR. Over on AA, the moniker "audioengr" has a (M) beside it so it is easy to see the identity BUT over here on Audiogon, the schmuck doesn't write any disclaimers about his being the owner/proprietor of Empirical Audio, which I think is unethical as I feel that all of us users would like to know this fact. Also, if you have followed any of the cable discussions on Cable Asylum in year 2003, you'll note that Steve made a # of remarks w/o substantiating them (what a surprise!) & many times got run out of the room.
I was poking around & found this article on the Sony DVP7700 that Audioengr recommends so heavily over on AA & even here:
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue13/empiricalmods.htm
In the end, Audioengr's products & work might be good but I am completely turned off by the guy & the way he chooses to operate. I read that Abbeydog was bristling too & thought that this might be an opportune moment to highlight some info re. Audioengr. Once again, sorry to steal your thread Abbeydog.
Audioengr: I hope that you mend your ways & operate more in a full-disclosure mode. All of us here would appreciate that. I also hope that you will stop making empty recommendations. Otherwise, I agree with Abbeydog, be gone!
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