Bill, I have heard a lot of the mods and I can give you my opinion for my system: Rowland> Watt/Puppies. These things can be system dependant and personal preference. Please note the following is all IMO
The biggest improvement to the SB is the stock elpac PSU. Probably any decent PSU will give the same improvement I didn't hear a diff with the modded elpac and I will sell mine if I don't pas it on to my kid. I didn't hear any big differences with other mods. They seemed subtle at best and I don't thik I would pass a blind test. The difference between the wallwart and the stock elpac was big in my system and a great bang for the buck. The closest the SB came to the Transporter in my system was elpacSB> LavryDAC10. That combo sounds great and some like it better than the TP. I like the TP better in my system. The wallwart might spew a lot of hash into other gear. Some gear may be more immune than others. This may account for why some people hear no diff. when I plugged the stock wallwart into my power conditioner the sound improved a lot. You might try that first and save some money if you like the result. A modded elpac and digital analog SB mods will run you 550.00? if that's right you might want to shop a used Benchmark(I,ve seen them at 750 to 800. For around 250 more you could have a great DAC. If you bargain hard for a Lavry you might get a new one for 850.00(it takes a lot of calling:-) You will find others who prefer the Bolder approach, after a 2 week audition of the Bolder I stayed with the TP. The only way any of us can know what we will like is an in home audition. NHT makes a very nice speaker BTW. I use their active moniter for my classical guitar when I play chamber music and gigs. It sounds great. I'm of making this the foundation for my son's 1st system( he'll have to revert to earphones when I have a gig :-) Good luck on your decision. -- tomjtx ------------------------------------------------------------------------ tomjtx's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=7449 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=31964 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list [email protected] http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
