My rips are lossless. MPEG-4 files are NOT lossless, which is why I'd never use them. Kim's comment about cables is valid -- I am using an AES/EBU (balanced) digital cable from the CD transport, but a S/PDIF unbalanced cable (albeit, the best one IMO) from the Transporter. But to my ears, the sound difference is more than what these two cables would 'interject'. (I've listened to the cd transport with both AES/EBU vs. S/PDIF, and the difference is much more subtle).
What I'm inclined to believe is that the sonic capabilities of the transporter are not 'up to par' with the rest of my system. The reason I have such a good DAC is because virtually ALL my music comes from digital sources now -- and it's critical to have that conversion to analog done as well as you can. I'm using a PrimaLuna Prologue Three tube preamp (Telefunkens and Mullards) into two Aragon Palladium monoblocks. Speakers are Sonus Faber Grand Piano Home, and REL sub. I've upgraded my DAC three times, and it is REMARKABLE how much difference a truly great DAC can make. For anyone interested in upgrading their DAC, check out empiricalaudio.com -- and look at the 'component mod' page. They do amazing work. If anyone knows of a better (but not price prohibitive) way to get an ethernet cable interface to a DAC (either balanced or unbalanced), please let me know. Thanks for your input on this, and Merry Christmas! Meantime, enjoy the music... -- musicinmind ------------------------------------------------------------------------ musicinmind's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14540 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=41268 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
