2. digital
  3. 1432514554

How much does the transport affect sound quality?

This query might sound a bit naive but is the transport/CD player responsible for any amount of the overall sound quality?

I have a Cambridge 751BD coupled to a Bryston BDA-1 DAC and I think it's a wonderful combo both in terms of sound quality and functionality. Once I added the BDA-1 to my system it made a substantial improvement to my listening experience.

The 751BD is an excellent performer for it's value but how does it stack up to other HiFi and Audiophile CD players as a read-only device?
pontifex
zd542
5,339 posts
 
The transport makes a big difference. I can't comment on the Cambridge because I've never heard it.
pontifex OP
31 posts
 
Thanks, Z.

Are you able to elaborate on that at all?

By the way, I am receiving Threshold T400 today. Pure Class A. Looking forward to comparing it to the Musical Fidelity A308
mesch
3,402 posts
 
As Zd stated, the transport is important. As a well thought of universal player I would think the 751BD has a quality one.However, I am not surprised that the BDA-1 improves the sound for CD playback over the 751BDs DAC.

I use an Arcam DV-137 into my BDA-1.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
As far as telling you what kind of differences you'll notice, I really can't. Its no different than matching any other component. Different transports will sound different from each other.

There is one thing, though. Sometimes its beneficial to use the same brand for your transport and dac. If the same designer made both pieces, they're usually meant to work together. Some even take it a step further and use proprietary designs. Wadia, for example, has a feature they call clock link. But to take advantage of it, both pieces need to be Wadia.
More to discover