Pneumonic;343770 Wrote: > 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 21.5 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.
I thought the TP was bright at first too. Try listening only to the TP direct to amp for a few weeks until your ears become acustomed to the higher resolution and detail the TP provides (which some may think is "brightness). That's what I did and when I put back my SF2 pre (like yours) I thought the SFpre was too dark, muddy and lacking in detail . My Rowland pre was better, but still I prefered the TP direct to amp. I found this same diff with my SF DAC which was updated , and new tubes etc. Both the SF pre and DAC are unused in my closet now. -- tomjtx ------------------------------------------------------------------------ tomjtx's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=7449 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=50428 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list [email protected] http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
