Here is my experience. I just recently bought a Transporter so that I could stream the oodles of hi-rez needledrops that I have made over the years along with some of the 24/96 recordings that I have d/l. I also have a couple of SB3's paired up with external DAC's. My primary DAC is an oldie goldie Roksan 2 piece (DA1 DAC/DS4 PS) setup. I also have a 2nd DAC (COEM modified Lite Audio DAC AH) paired up with my other SB3 in my office rig. I'm ethernet wired.
I have all 3 now connected to my main rig which consists of Martin Logan CLS II speakers, a Sonic Frontiers SFL-2 pre amp and a S.A.R. Labs MOS 450 power amp. I also have a Modwright Sony SCD 777ES CDP for SACD/redbook playback comparison. Cabling is all Cardas GS. Dedicated mains line with EquiTech conditioning and Oyaide receptacles. Dedicated listening room 19.5 x 18.5 x 9. Comparing the SB3/Roksan unit with the Transporter, both connected to the Sonic Frontiers pre, I found the SB3/Roksan to sound much more laid back and musical sounding while the Transporter was very detailed and resolving. I found the Transporter to have a bit better dynamics and to be better in the higher frequency extremes though it could sound a bit harsh with certain material. I found the SB3/Roksan to have a more pronounced and lusher midrange. Not surprising since the Roksan is noted for having a very analog sound to it. Both setups are very enjoyable but sound slightly different to my ears. The COEM sounded similar to the Roksan but maybe slightly moreso like the Trasnport in the detail side of things. Not much difference really. Last night I bypassed the Sonic Frontiers pre and plugged the Transporter directly into the SAR Labs and had a listen. Much brighter sounding, bordering on too bright. Punchier sounding no doubt but unpleasant to listen too overall because of the brightness. But this is probably largely the result of the sonic characteristics of my amp and speakers which can brutally revealing, to a fault even. With this amp/speaker combo you really need a tube component in one of the amp stages to act as a treble tone control. It would be interesting to try this same comparison with my Sonic Frontiers power amp in the equation so that the Transporter plugs in directly to it. Maybe next week I'll give this a whirl. -- Pneumonic Main: Transporter Squeezebox 3 > Roksan DAC/PS MODWRIGHT Sony SCD 777ES Sonic Frontiers SFL-2 Pre S.A.R. Labs MOS 450 Power Martin Logan CLS II Speakers Office: Squeezebox 3 > COEM Lite Audio DAC AH McCormack TLC-1 Pre Sonic Frontiers SFS80 Power Elipson Circee Speakers ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pneumonic's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=10091 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=50428 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list [email protected] http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
