ralphpnj wrote: > Good question and somewhat tricky to answer. IMHO the main reasons for > getting a Transporter used to be: > > 1) ability to play higher resolution files (up to 24bit/96kHz) > > 2) better internal power supply > > 3) better internal DAC > > 4) balanced analog outputs > > However with the introduction of the SB Touch some of these reasons are > a bit less valid. The Touch can play hi-rez files and the Touch's stock > power supply is much better than SB3 stock power supply. Plus the > Touch's internal DAC is actually quite good. > > My suggestion is to see if you can manage to get a in home audition of > an external DAC priced around the same as the Transporter SE ($750) and > see if that provides a noticeable improvement to the sound of the > Touch's analog outputs. > > The advantage of going with an external DAC instead of a Transporter is > that in the future you can keep the Touch and just upgrade the DAC. Of > course you could also use the Transporter with an external DAC but since > the Transporter's internal DAC is one of the main reasons for spending > the extra money why would you. > > In short the Touch -> external DAC is a more flexible and future proof > solution than a Transporter alone.
I agree with Ralph. I really like my Transporter, but I'm just not sure I'd replace it for $750. Not sure where the pricepoint would be ($500?). Part of it is not even the money (heck I've purchased 3 Touches and 3 Radios just for backup players so I don't mind spending the money). It is probably 5 year old (or more) technology. I like having the quality components in one box (DAC, power supply, network music player), but DACs have become better and cheaper. I personally like having the Balanced Analog outs (but I can get this with DACs, including my older Benchmark I that I use with a TOUCH). If I ever moved from SB to another system, a good quality DAC would still be useful. The transporter not so much (although it can always be used as a DAC). ------------------------------------------------------------------------ garym's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=17325 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=97815 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
