I find the TP to be plenty rhythmic. It is definitely in the neutral and liquid camp of digital sound. It does not have quite the same impressive authority as either my Linn or my Ayre. However, to put that in context, I have to be listening quite critically and compare the two. On its own, I find the Transporter to be quite easy to listen to, unlike laurie. It is a bit in the same digital camp as the Linn, liquid yet still detailed in a non-agressive way. The Ayre is a bit more in the "impressive" camp with a more forward presentation and a bit more bass drive, though in my mind a bit less bass control. I have not heard and hence cannot comment on either a modified SB or any other external DAC. The last external DAC I used was a Theta about 15 years ago. For the most part, since then, I think most single-box CD players have been superior and I would just as soon not have an additional component and cable to deal with, but that is a personal preference. I would refer you to Doug Schneider's review of the Transporter at Onhifi.com (part of the soundstage network.) This is to my knowledge the first review of this product by an experienced high-end audio reviewer and he like me finds the Transporter to be a neutral digital source. And he has heard a lot more equipment over the years under controlled conditions than me and I would guess most of the folks in this forum. At the end of the day, it is one's preferences in one's own system that matter most.
-- rplert Randy Lert Linn LP12, Transporter, Linn Sondek CD12, Ayre C5xe, VTL 7.5 Reference Line Stage, Ayre P5xe phone stage, Ayre V1 amplifer, Vandersteen 5A speakers ------------------------------------------------------------------------ rplert's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=8358 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=31053 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list [email protected] http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
