Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] ModWright Transporter experience: truth vs. beauty?
tomjtx;267543 Wrote: I auditioned a full blown bolder SB and a modded TP in my home for several weeks each doing careful, level matched comparisons. So at least some making comments have heard the other gear :-) I stayed with the stock TP. The other gear was not an improvement to my ears. I haven't heard the Modwright . Dan has a great rep and I suspect it sounds quite good. Whether or not one prefers it to the stock would likely boil down to personal preference. and the willingness to consume 4000 in credit or cash. -- GuyDebord Reference3A RoyalMaster monitors biwired with van den Hul Inspiration, REL Strata5. AMPS: Pathos Classic One MKIII's in mono config. ANALOGUE: Clearaudio Ambient CMB, Satisfy Carbon Lyra Helikon SL, ASR MiniBasis SQ preamp, link: WireWorld SilverEclipse 5.2. DIGITAL: SlimDevices Transporter, link: AcousticZen Silver Reference2 XLRs. POWER: Isotek MiniSub GII, Isotek Elite cables (MiniSub, Rel), Siltech SPX30 MKII (Transporter), van den Hul Mainstream (Pathos) van den Hul Mainserver (ASR). GuyDebord's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14587 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=43269 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] ModWright Transporter experience: truth vs. beauty?
[cold-induced rant] I think part of the problem here is some slightly unfortunate choices of language. For example, the OP used the word limitations implying that the MW is absolutely better that the inherently flawed original TP output stage. It isn't - it's just different. Valves aren't better than transistors - they are just different. That's fine. Nothing wrong with that. But can we please have a moratorium on the unqualified use of the word better? No-one can define better in this context. Preferable to me is OK!...as is different. You can say what you like, but you cannot say it's better/more accurate/more realistic than what I like. It's all an illusion - you use yours and I'll use mine. Later we get the use of the word fake...this is simply wrong. All analogue audio stages impart their own character on a signal - be it in terms of noise, freq response, dynamic response etc. IF you like or dislike what they do then fine. However, you can't say one is fake as if to imply that another may be natural or realistic. None of them are. Can't we discuss this stuff without confusing opinion with fact? [/cold-induced rant] -- Phil Leigh You want to see the signal path BEFORE it gets onto a CD/vinyl...it ain't what you'd call minimal...SB3+Stontronics PSU - Altmann JISCO/UPCI - TACT RCS 2.2X with Good Vibrations S/W - MF X-DAC V3/X-PSU/X-10 buffer (Audiocomm full mods)- Linn 5103 - Linn Aktiv 5.1 system (6x LK140's, ESPEK/TRIKAN/KATAN/SEIZMIK 10.5), Townsend Supertweeters, Kimber Chord cables Phil Leigh's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=85 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=43269 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] ModWright Transporter experience: truth vs. beauty?
Phil Leigh;267621 Wrote: Valves aren't better than transistors - they are just different. That's fine. Nothing wrong with that. But can we please have a moratorium on the unqualified use of the word better? No-one can define better in this context. Valves may not be intrinsically better than transistors, maybe, but I'm pretty sure transistors -sound- worse than valves ;) -- adamslim Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others SB+, EAR V20, Living Voice OBX-R2s plus some other stuff SB3, Charlize, Harbeth HL-P3ES adamslim's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=7355 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=43269 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] ModWright Transporter experience: truth vs. beauty?
Please notice that nobody mentioned measurements in this thread ;-) (see here: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=38815page=19) Probably (since people will mod their TP/SB's anyway) it would be useful to create threads dedicated to all available mods. Or at least to compare them. Stock Transporter: http://photos.lam.ws/gallery/1930618/2/98101199/Large [EMAIL PROTECTED]: o- digital part is not touched at all o- no line filters or PS mods o- completely redone analogue domain o- dedicated PS with a tube/choke rectifier o- transformer coupled balanced outputs o- no coupling capacitors o- no opamps So, if you use an external DAC, Dan's mods will absolutely useless for you. [EMAIL PROTECTED]/Aberdeen http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii158/alekz-net/audio/transporter/img__02843.jpg http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii158/alekz-net/audio/transporter/img__02841.jpg o- added Schaffner line filter o- added ferrite rings on the ground wires and digital power supplies o- added vibration damping o- replaced most (at least half) capacitors with Sanyo ones o- the coupling capacitors are replaced with Black Gates o- replaced receptacles o- replaced opamps (very fast OPA637 are considered the best (sorry, the best again ;-) sounding opamps available) in analogue stage The schematics/topology is not changed (except the line filter). [EMAIL PROTECTED] (No picture) o- replaced clocks o- replaced DAC o- modded PS o- only unbalanced version is available (Alex does not disclose the reasons) Basically, he recreated the Transporter, only the computer part is left untouched. Reference AudioMods: http://www.referenceaudiomods.com/images/slim.jpg o- modded PS (diodes and caps) o- replaced SuperRegs with Audiocom regs o- replaced receptacles o- replaced the analogue stage with just two silver wired transformers (? the picture is not big enough to determine how the transformers are actually connected.) -- alekz alekz's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=13574 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=43269 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] ModWright Transporter experience: truth vs. beauty?
adamslim;267631 Wrote: Valves may not be intrinsically better than transistors, maybe, but I'm pretty sure transistors -sound- worse than valves ;) NO THEY DON'T! It's all about the circuit, not the devices. You can make anything sound like anything if you want to. I use both. To my ears, modern transistor circuits are typically neutral and lacking in overt character (except for Class A designs, eg Sugden). whereas valve designs vary from neutral to fruity. If anyone thinks you can't make transistor circuits sound like valves ones, they are fooling themselves. This is certainly possible with line level stages. The characteristic even-order harmonic distortion is quite easy to replicate with a FET design. Power amps are more problematic, because it depends exactly what aspect you are trying to emulate. Rectifier sag anyone? Transformer saturation? These are harder to do (but not impossible - The classic soft clipping circuits are not a million miles away in some ways. Microphonic effects are probably the hardest to get close to. The point is...this is all about choice, not right or wrong. Actually that reminds me...you could use an Inguz style modelling DSP plugin to add valve warmth. This sort of thing is used in the studios all the time. Wow - that's a great idea. Maybe I should patent it. Convolving filters to model your fave amp...Quad, Leak, Radford, Krell, Marantz etc. (oh rats its already been done - but not for hi-fi) I'd pay money (say £200-300) for that feature. (God, this cold is getting worse) -- Phil Leigh You want to see the signal path BEFORE it gets onto a CD/vinyl...it ain't what you'd call minimal...SB3+Stontronics PSU - Altmann JISCO/UPCI - TACT RCS 2.2X with Good Vibrations S/W - MF X-DAC V3/X-PSU/X-10 buffer (Audiocomm full mods)- Linn 5103 - Linn Aktiv 5.1 system (6x LK140's, ESPEK/TRIKAN/KATAN/SEIZMIK 10.5), Townsend Supertweeters, Kimber Chord cables Phil Leigh's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=85 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=43269 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] ModWright Transporter experience: truth vs. beauty?
tomjtx;267439 Wrote: You could have gotten the same result feeding transporter through a tube preamp or buffer. Not quite. The difference will be: o- coupling capacitors o- balanced stage (1x5534 per shoulder, 4 in total) o- unbalanced stage (1x5534 per channel, 2 in total) o- attenuator o- XLR or RCA connector o- cable o- XLR or RCA connector o- current consumed by the analogue stage o- digital noise injected into the analogue stage So, ModWright mod has a big advantage over a separate tube buffer stage. -- alekz alekz's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=13574 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=43269 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] ModWright Transporter experience: truth vs. beauty?
adamslim;267631 Wrote: Valves may not be intrinsically better than transistors, maybe, but I'm pretty sure transistors -sound- worse than valves ;) Phil Leigh Wrote: Rant opaqueice Wrote: Rant Crikey calm down calm down, there's me thinking smileys are there for a purpose, to show - in this case - the gentle wink that goes with such a statement. Clearly despite such assistance I need to flag up my poor attempt at humour even more clearly :D -- adamslim Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others SB+, EAR V20, Living Voice OBX-R2s plus some other stuff SB3, Charlize, Harbeth HL-P3ES adamslim's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=7355 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=43269 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] ModWright Transporter experience: truth vs. beauty?
GuyDebord;267603 Wrote: and the willingness to consume 4000 in credit or cash. the transporter has years of research and development on it, electrical engineers, designers, software engineers, etc. The technology, features and sound is truly worth 2000 euros, the tp reflects innovation and leadership by all standards, and i happily support a product like this. Now, modwright only parasites on all of this and still charges exactly what the tp is worth to modify it with an extremely standard tube stage, in my book, the value of something like that is ZERO and enters the unethical realm/// Im sorry. but auditioning something like this is against my time, logic and principles. Common sense and not audiofool sense tells me its another of many frauds in the industry/// While I respect your point of view, I disagree with one of your key premises. Dissatisfaction with the state-of-the-art, and the willingness to explore alternatives is central to progress in sound reproduction technology. Most of the leading lights in this industry started their careers with soldering irons in their hands and a spark of an idea in their heads. For instance, firms such as Conrad Johnson and Acoustic Research have their roots firmly in the foundation of modding other designer's work. Dan Wright of ModWright Instruments may have roots in modding, but I submit that he is an innovator who is driving the state of the art in the industry. He currently manufactures one of the finest preamplifiers extant, designed and built from scratch, and produced in his own factory. Dan was one of the first to accept and utilize the work of Jack Bybee, to deal with the effects of HF interference in high bandwidth audio circuits. He stands on the shoulders of designers like Alan Kimmel, famed developer of the constant current circuits with whom he partnered in developing Dan's award-winning stand-alone phono stage. The analog stage in his Transporter modification is hardly extremely standard nor is the sound of the resulting product. Willam Zane Johnson of AR is another fine example of a modder who evolved into a manufacturer of renowned high-end audio equipment. I still have one of his modded Dynaco amps of the 60's, where he first achieved a measure of commercial success. Innovations which include deep understanding of materials science, and the sound of individual components/brands/types is central to the toolbox of successful modders. It also represents one of the strongest reasons why modern electronics generally outperform classic designs of earlier decades. Of course, any hacker can start subbing parts and call themselves a modder, so I take your point about parasites. But at the same time, I think this process is central to the evolution of improved sound reproduction equipment, and successful modders are a boon, not a bane to our industry. I think you're sadly mistaken if you believe that modding is antithetical to excellence. Anyway, this is not the discussion I expected, when I originally posted my positive experience with the product! But interesting, and thanks for adding your point of view! Frank -- HalleysComet HalleysComet's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14590 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=43269 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Not all 24/96 flac's are created equal
As a matter of fact I used the FLAC Frontend yesterday to encode the 24/192/2.0 from the Classic HDAD of Alan Parsons' Eye in the Sky. It can't do the ReplayGain calculation above 48 KHz, so that option must be unchecked, but it encoded fine. Rather slowly, but fine. -- Timothy Stockman Timothy Stockman's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=8867 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=41144 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] ModWright Transporter experience: truth vs. beauty?
I am sure I will be flamed for my beliefs, but I have to say I do find it very interesting that everybody who KNOWS that either the Modwright Transporter is a waste of money or that the same thing could be achieved in another way has never heard one. Yet everybody who has indeed listened seems to have universal praise for the piece. In the end should not some emphasis be placed on how this piece sounds? -- rydenfan rydenfan's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=15335 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=43269 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] ModWright Transporter experience: truth vs. beauty?
rydenfan;267776 Wrote: I am sure I will be flamed for my beliefs, but I have to say I do find it very interesting that everybody who KNOWS that either the Modwright Transporter is a waste of money or that the same thing could be achieved in another way has never heard one. Yet everybody who has indeed listened seems to have universal praise for the piece. In the end should not some emphasis be placed on how this piece sounds? Those of us who have purchased it and are enjoying it are deluded fools who are too easily parted with our money. Wiser heads need to cool down our ardor and point out that we're only listening to our delusions, fueled by self-fulfilling perceptions of improvement. Besides, who do these modders think they are anyway defiling what it took years of the finest engineers talent to develop? grin I'm lovin' it! Frank -- HalleysComet HalleysComet's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14590 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=43269 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] ModWright Transporter experience: truth vs. beauty?
Timothy Stockman;267790 Wrote: OK, what is non-standard about his analog stage? Does he use a non-standard circuit topology? What is unique in his circuit? I don't have access to a circuit diagram, but from what I can see, and have read, the stage is optimized for class A operation of the 6N1P triodes he uses, and transformer coupled without caps in the direct signal path. The tube rectifier is a 5U4 type that apparently uses some clever (? unspecified?) rectification twists, including bespoke capacitors (teflon/foil in oil capacitors that Dan has made for him) which are said to account for some of the sound quality. At some point I'll dig into it and see if I can figure out the circuit, but right now I'm having too much fun listening! Frank -- HalleysComet HalleysComet's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14590 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=43269 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] ModWright Transporter experience: truth vs. beauty?
HalleysComet;267786 Wrote: The analog stage in his Transporter modification is hardly extremely standard OK, what is non-standard about his analog stage? Does he use a non-standard circuit topology? What is unique in his circuit? -- Timothy Stockman Timothy Stockman's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=8867 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=43269 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] ModWright Transporter experience: truth vs. beauty?
HalleysComet;267786 Wrote: Dan was one of the first to accept and utilize the work of Jack Bybee, to deal with the effects of HF interference in high bandwidth audio circuits. Really? So much for ModWright, then. -- opaqueice opaqueice's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=4234 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=43269 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Help with choosing Transporter v/s USB DAC
I have a Transporter, and USB DAC1, and the Pico DAC/headphone amp from Headamp. All three are audiophile-grade sources. I replaced a $2500 Arcam CD33 with the Transporter and noticed an immediate and striking improvement. The DAC1 via USB is excellent as well, but the interface is lacking -- a PC has to be tethered nearby with a USB cable, and switching albums and tracks must be performed via the PC interface (i.e., mouse and keyboard). Not ideal. The Pico is a surprisingly high-end miniature DAC with only USB input. This is a very nice source if all you are connecting is good headphones and a laptop. In short, I think we're heading into the golden age of PC audio... IMO there is no way that PC-based sources will not eventually surpass the highest-end CD players, if they haven't already. -- gregeas gregeas's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=5877 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=43129 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] ModWright Transporter experience: truth vs. beauty?
opaqueice;267827 Wrote: Really? So much for ModWright, then. X2, I didn't realize modwright was into that bybee nonsense. -- tomjtx tomjtx's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=7449 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=43269 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] ModWright Transporter experience: truth vs. beauty?
opaqueice;267827 Wrote: Really? So much for ModWright, then. Yeah, I know. But really... Jack Bybee was able to develop a successful solution to allow sonar listeners to more reliably detect enemy submarines, using technology he developed that was kept classified by the US Navy for a number of years. So what do you do to monetize this technology when you go to the private sector? Well, the so-called Bybee Purifiers may or may not do anything for your system. Where they seem to matter is where you have very high bandwidth amplification, where high-frequency harmonics have the potential to impact the sonic spectrum. Digital circuitry in particular provides a certain level of nastiness that good design can mitigate, but the Bybee parts in the right application can provide a perceptible improvement. My electrostatic speakers turn out to be good high-frequency receivers. They in turn feed back some of this into my power amps -- or they used to. I perceived this as a certain slight veiled muddiness in the sound. I tried various approaches, such as ferrite clamps (deadened the sound) or sobel filters, but the Bybees seem to do the best job. On the other hand, they don't make a hill of difference in my living room system where I have vintage tube amplification dynamic speaker drivers. YMMV Frank -- HalleysComet HalleysComet's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14590 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=43269 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] ModWright Transporter experience: truth vs. beauty?
Shredder wrote: I chose the MW TP direct into my amps over the other options, ie nice Dac into nice pre, TP into nice pre, great Dac w/no pre. Give it a listen. I suspect most will like it. If not, you will be able to make an educated judgment. Glad you like it. As far as I'm concerned, anyone can listen to, and like anything, and its fine by me. Its your ears and your money. All the arguing about circuits and parts is hot air. IMHO. ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] ModWright Transporter experience: truth vs. beauty?
Frank (aka HalleysComet), I see no reason why you have to defend your choice. If it sounds better (for you), than it's the way to go (for you). Period. I second rydenfan here. That reminds me a couple of real interviews I heard:I have't read the book, but it's bad, I will not read it and I recommend you not to read it too. Don't make yourself look ridiculous (at least). Let's get back to the subject. I have a couple of questions to those who have heard both the stock and modded Transporter. o- Frank, you mentioned that the stock TS sounds(-ed) more detailed. Could you please elaborate? Do you hear less details now? Are they masked by the noise floor? o- Any differences in the sound stage? E.g. sources placement, the air between them, depth/width, etc. o- Did the stock TS sound brighter than the modded one? Did you notice any sibilance? o- Can you compare the dynamics? o- Frank, what does the rest of your system look like? o- Can anybody with a digital camera make some photos of the internals of their modded by Dan TS? I have an Anthony's modded Transporter. This is what I noticed: o- Extremely detailed, revealing, cold and analytical. Probably too revealing and analytical (like the rest of my system). Too often it shows how bad the recordings are. Not how good the music is. o- A bit on the bright side. Hot records will sound stingingly HOT. Sibilants are a bit exaggerated. o- Good dynamics and very low noise floor. You can clearly hear the sound decays. o- Pinpoint sound staging. o- It never sounds messy even during complex passages. o- The images are thin with not enough meat and body. (ML Ascent feature?) So, I'm wondering if I can get the best out of two worlds and let my Anthony modded TS be modified by Dan. Also, it's recommended to pair Logans with tubes. Alex Peychev's mods (though it sounds very interesting) are a no-go for me since his design is non-balanced and I have a fully balanced system. -- alekz alekz's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=13574 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=43269 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] ModWright Transporter experience: truth vs. beauty?
HalleysComet;267786 Wrote: While I respect your point of view, I disagree with one of your key premises. Dissatisfaction with the state-of-the-art, and the willingness to explore alternatives is central to progress in sound reproduction technology. Most of the leading lights in this industry started their careers with soldering irons in their hands and a spark of an idea in their heads. For instance, firms such as Conrad Johnson and Acoustic Research have their roots firmly in the foundation of modding other designer's work. Frank thanks for your response. however, i think we have to different ideas of what innovations is. The TP's innovation is not so much on its analogue stage than in its digital circuitry, interface and software working in unison with the whole device. Now, i dont understand how can you call innovation a simple change in the output circuitry. To me this is parasitizing, not innovation. -- GuyDebord Reference3A RoyalMaster monitors biwired with van den Hul Inspiration, REL Strata5. AMPS: Pathos Classic One MKIII's in mono config. ANALOGUE: Clearaudio Ambient CMB, Satisfy Carbon Lyra Helikon SL, ASR MiniBasis SQ preamp, link: WireWorld SilverEclipse 5.2. DIGITAL: SlimDevices Transporter, link: AcousticZen Silver Reference2 XLRs. POWER: Isotek MiniSub GII, Isotek Elite cables (MiniSub, Rel), Siltech SPX30 MKII (Transporter), van den Hul Mainstream (Pathos) van den Hul Mainserver (ASR). GuyDebord's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14587 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=43269 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] ModWright Transporter experience: truth vs. beauty?
alekz wrote: Too often it shows how bad the recordings are. Not how good the music is. Isn't this a curse of any accurate audiophile system? Whatever you do, don't play CSNY's Four Way Street CD. It is terrible. Out of tune, loudness wars, clipping, etc. I had such grand memories of that as a good album, the CD is unlistenable. I don't blame my transporter for it. ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] FW40 - Real time DSP, digital out - in?
seanadams;264761 Wrote: Yes, this is the digital loop feature. It is in firmware 40 which is now in the nightly trunk builds. Give it a try. I have only tested with Tact XP and with a loopback cable. Would be interested to hear how it works with something like a Behringer EQ. Note there is a setting in SlimServer where you can re-clock the signal (bypassing jitter in the loop) or not. I was surprised to find that the TACT was apparently doing asynchronous sample rate conversion, so it is not compatible with the reclocking mode. Synchronous mode will still sound like its working but it will not actually be clocking the DAC correctly, so YMMV. I would recommend using asynchronous mode with the Tact. It would be nice to have a list of devices that can be used with the digital loop, and what the correct clocking mode should be for each. Sean, Can you tell us more about your experience with TACT 2.2XP and transporter? Does it work to your satisfaction? Would you prefer standalone DSP and preamp to DSP/preamp combo with transporter? Thanks -- cheetah cheetah's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=7231 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42957 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] ModWright Transporter experience: truth vs. beauty?
Pat Farrell;267872 Wrote: alekz wrote: Too often it shows how bad the recordings are. Not how good the music is. Isn't this a curse of any accurate audiophile system? Unfortunately, I have to agree with you. Accurate (but unlistenable) vs distorted (but rather enjoyable) dilemma. The better the system the worse some records sound. But would you prefer to part with some good but almost demolished by sound engineers music? I wish I could switch between the mods and choose whatever sounds subjectively better or according to my current mood. I have only one solution for that - my car audio ;-) Pat Farrell;267872 Wrote: alekz wrote:[color=blue] Out of tune, loudness wars, clipping, etc. I had such grand memories of that as a good album, the CD is unlistenable. And that brings us to this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=43045 -- alekz alekz's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=13574 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=43269 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] ModWright Transporter experience: truth vs. beauty?
tomjtx;267888 Wrote: I auditioned the maiu mod and ab'd it directly with my stock transporter. What was the rest of the system? Was it the 1st Anthony's iteration with the analogue stage not touched? tomjtx;267888 Wrote: The best thing I could say is he didn't make the modded TP sound worse. Good ;-) And that proves that Sean not quite correct saying that any modification will make TP sound worse. tomjtx;267888 Wrote: What a total waste of money, IMO. I still think it's a very system dependent. -- alekz alekz's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=13574 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=43269 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] ModWright Transporter experience: truth vs. beauty?
I auditioned the maiu mod and ab'd it directly with my stock transporter. There was no differance that could be identified by me or 2 other experienced listeners, a recording engineer and a high end dealer. The best thing I could say is he didn't make the modded TP sound worse. What a total waste of money, IMO. -- tomjtx tomjtx's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=7449 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=43269 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] ModWright Transporter experience: truth vs. beauty?
What if this whole conversation was about some speaker wire? Poster 1 Wow, company X's modification of Logitech's speaker wire has totally transformed the sound! Everything's become so real!!! Poster 2 If a mod on a speaker wire makes that much difference, and the original speaker wire pretty much doesn't add any distortion, that means the modded speaker wire is distorted. Poster 1 Whatever. You haven't heard the mod so what are you talking about. I know it sounds better. I believe that the end result of every system is not perfect. In the majority of cases even the most basic aspect of frequency response is not very neutral. Personally I correct for this with room treatments and DSP. Even so, there are clearly many other aspects to sound such dynamic range, noise, harmonic distortion and no doubt others known and others yet to be discovered, and every set up lacks in some aspects in terms of the end result the listener hears. This means that adding a component which distorts the signal always has a possibility of making the end result better. Some distortions cancel each other out - e.g. DSP is really in fact a distortion...one intended to counteract bad distortions in the end sound. The point is this - I don't think a digital source is an appropriate place to design distortions even if the result happens to be good for some set ups. I like my sources, volume controls, cables etc to be as neutral and transparent as possible. I think speakers and rooms are where you can really mix to taste, because this is where so many compromises have to made anyway due to the physics of it. However, components where only an electric signal exists should just sound as if they are not there. Playing your system at 100% volume should sound the same as playing your system without the preamp, for example. If your system sounds magically better WITH the preamp, it could be it is correcting some bad distortion in the setup but it doesn't mean it is a better preamp in some absolute sense. Darren -- darrenyeats SB3 / Inguz - Krell KAV-300i (pre bypass) - PMC AB-1 Dell laptop - JVC UX-C30 mini system darrenyeats's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=10799 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=43269 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] ModWright Transporter experience: truth vs. beauty?
tomjtx;267841 Wrote: X2, I didn't realize modwright was into that bybee nonsense. Yeah, what a disappointment!! -- crooner Customized dual chassis Super Squeezebox EAD DSP-7000 Series III DAC with HDCD and mods. VPI Scout with Benz Micro Glider M2 Marantz 10B tube FM tuner Audio Research PH3, SP16L and VS110 Vandersteen 2Ce signatures, 2W subwoofer. crooner's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=3379 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=43269 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Not all 24/96 flac's are created equal
I would second the suggestion to create SB3-friendly 24/48 FLAC files from the 24/96 WAVs. Naturally, you would also keep the 24/96 files for when you get a Transporter (or SB4!). dbPowerAMP is what I use to convert the WAVs. When encoding to FLAC I would use the lowest compression setting, so the SB3's CPU has less work to do in decoding. -- Pale Blue Ego Pale Blue Ego's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=110 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=41144 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] ModWright Transporter experience: truth vs. beauty?
alekz;267853 Wrote: Let's get back to the subject. I have a couple of questions to those who have heard both the stock and modded Transporter. o- Frank, you mentioned that the stock TS sounds(-ed) more detailed. Could you please elaborate? Do you hear less details now? Are they masked by the noise floor? o- Any differences in the sound stage? E.g. sources placement, the air between them, depth/width, etc. o- Did the stock TS sound brighter than the modded one? Did you notice any sibilance? o- Can you compare the dynamics? o- Frank, what does the rest of your system look like? o- Can anybody with a digital camera make some photos of the internals of their modded by Dan TS? I have an Anthony's modded Transporter. This is what I noticed: o- Extremely detailed, revealing, cold and analytical. Probably too revealing and analytical (like the rest of my system). Too often it shows how bad the recordings are. Not how good the music is. o- A bit on the bright side. Hot records will sound stingingly HOT. Sibilants are a bit exaggerated. o- Good dynamics and very low noise floor. You can clearly hear the sound decays. o- Pinpoint sound staging. o- It never sounds messy even during complex passages. o- The images are thin with not enough meat and body. (ML Ascent feature?) So, I'm wondering if I can get the best out of two worlds and let my Anthony modded TS be modified by Dan. Also, it's recommended to pair Logans with tubes. Alex Peychev's mods (though it sounds very interesting) are a no-go for me since his design is non-balanced and I have a fully balanced system. Great to hear from another Transporter owner who's trying to make it even better ;-) Unfortunately, as Dylan Thomas remarked, We share the barrier of a common language. I think I would have used the same descriptions you used for your modded player to describe the original. So I'm not sure I can answer your questions. I think the main change for me compared to my three weeks with the original Transporter is that the new one is more holographic or solidly real sounding. So before I would notice the detail and say Holy Cow! I've never heard that before, cool! Now I'm listening to Yo-yo Ma playing Dvorak's Cello Concerto, and I'm just swept away. I swear I can recognize Jacqueline du Pre's Strad in Yo-yo's hands. So I would say the detail is definitely there, but that's not what I find myself listening to. My sister is a flute player. Before she moved to Paris, she used to play for the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and was a sub for the NY Metropolitan Opera. I sat in on a concert she played of the 4th Brandenberg. Today I was listening to the Marlboro Festival Orchestra playing the Brandenberg via the Transporter, and again, I had the feeling that I was right there, hearing the right tone of the silver flute, the wood of the violin bodies, and the occasional scrape of bows. It's the there-ness that I treasure, and that I felt was missing in my original experience with the Transporter. I'm not sure I can break it down into your language, but I'll try. * There's no noise. I can crank it up full, don't hear any tube rush or other noise. * Brightness? H'mmm. The stock unit maybe was a little brighter? It was certainly -- I don't know -- edgier? sounding, perhaps, but that sounds too negative. It wasn't in any way BAD sounding. Maybe a little more in your face like you were seated too close to the musicians? I kept hoping it would break in and settle down, so there was a certain edge about it that I didn't enjoy. A caveat about brightness: an my hearing isn't so fantastic anymore on high frequencies. So I tend to prefer equipment that's brighter than others like, probably because bright doesn't bother me. So it wasn't brightness, that's wrong word. Sorry, I'm struggling to find words for it. * Dynamics I can't talk to. I listened to some large scale orchestral stuff on the original Transporter and it was breathtaking. I haven't really compared the ModWright yet on that source material. I wouldn't expect it to be different, and I wouldn't trust my ability to tell the difference anyway. I'm not sure how relevant my system info will be. Everyone's is so idiosyncratic, it's hard to make generalizations. And I've actually got 4 systems in the house, so it's not even that simple. I've listened to the MW Transporter in two of my systems, so far. My impressions are a composite of those two systems. My music room has electrostats (some early Roger Sanders Eros), with his Innersound amplifiers. Probably not too different than your ML's, I would guess. I use a passive transformer-based preamp there. This system is brutally revealing, but whole-cloth honest. Mostly I listen to vinyl in this system. I have a nice Teres-based record deck, which is my primary source, via a KK phono preamp. In my living room I have Magneplanar 1.6qr speakers which are actively bi-amped via a pair
