[slim] Re: Audible difference? Transporter versus SB
nicoff;162861 Wrote: First post here so if I am asking for something that has been covered at length elsewhere please excuse. I have what many would consider a high-end audio system. I bought a SB recently and love the idea transferring my entire CD collection to the computer. I am using EAC to get FLAC files and streaming them to my SB. I am transferring the digital data from the SB to a digital preamp (Lexicon MC-1) which does the digital/analog conversion. My first impression is that I sort of prefer the sound of my standalone CD player (by a tiny margin)than when using the SB. (BTW, my CD player is a Sonic Frontier CD-1, a tube player (yes, vacuum tube) that only has analog outputs; no digital). So no D/A conversion is needed by the Lexicon digital preamp when using the CD player. I am going to assume that if I am streaming digital data to a digital preamp the SB and the Transporter should sound the same. Am I correct? Using analog output, would I be able to hear a noticeable difference in sound (for the better of course) if I were to use the Transporter and its analog output versus the SB? Thanks to all who reply! IMO you sould try the Transporter using it's own DAC eg. TP analog outs I have a Sonic Frontiers CDT and their SFD2 Mark2 with recent mods. The TP is better than that by a WIDE margin. IMO I prefer the TP to the SBLavry as well although that is a MUCH closer call than the Sonic Frontiers. The TP has a 30 day trial period so I think it's a no-brainer to try it. I may never play a CD again...I buy it , burn it, listen to it :-) -- tomjtx tomjtx's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=7449 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=30667 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
[slim] Re: Audible difference? Transporter versus SB
I'd ask in the Audiophiles forum. Personally, I don't hear any difference between SB3 and Transporter. -- stinkingpig That which does not kill you makes you bitter and cynical. -- Too Much Coffee Man stinkingpig's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=547 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=30667 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
[slim] Re: Audible difference? Transporter versus SB
nicoff;162861 Wrote: I am going to assume that if I am streaming digital data to a digital preamp the SB and the Transporter should sound the same. Am I correct? There is a difference, but it's small (smaller than analog anyway) and only your equipment and ears will be able to say for sure. The Transporter has lower jitter and an overall better implementation throughout - from more stable power all the way to better S/PDIF conversion. Using analog output, would I be able to hear a noticeable difference in sound (for the better of course) if I were to use the Transporter and its analog output versus the SB? You should be able to. It's a much greater difference than digital anyway. However it depends if the Lexicon converts incoming analog signals to digital, applies processing and converts to analog again. It probably does. This would make it sound different than going to an analog preamp or direct to an amp. However, knowing Lexicon, these would be high-quality parts and would not degrade the signal, plus this process would be applied both to the SB and the Transporter equally, so there should still be a difference. Only your ears can say how big a difference, but with your equipment it should be appreciable. -- Mark Lanctot Mark Lanctot's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2071 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=30667 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
[slim] Re: Audible difference? Transporter versus SB
In my system the difference between the Transporter and the SB3 analogue outs is very obvious and I much prefer the Transporter. However, with the Transporter you get the sound it gives, but with an SB3 you can add a DAC to suit your own taste (and add a linear PSU for more optimum output). PS. No network player I've tried, using a variety of DACs, sounds as good as my NAIM CDX. You would not believe how much this pisses me off. PPS. This ought to have been posted on the Audiophile forum for best responses. MC -- ModelCitizen Now what? Transporter Naim NAP 250 PMC OB1s. Music catalog: http://modelcitizen.mine.nu/music.txt ModelCitizen's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=446 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=30667 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
[slim] Re: Audible difference? Transporter versus SB
ModelCitizen;162870 Wrote: In my system the difference between the Transporter and the SB3 analogue outs is very obvious and I much prefer the Transporter. However, with the Transporter you get the sound it gives, but with an SB3 you can add a DAC to suit your own taste (and add a linear PSU for more optimum output). PS. No network player I've tried, using a variety of DACs, sounds as good as my NAIM CDX. You would not believe how much this pisses me off. PPS. This ought to have been posted on the Audiophile forum for best responses. MC If I caught your meaning MC, the Naim CDX you have sounds better than your Transporter? Thanks, Bill -- mr_bill mr_bill's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=6737 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=30667 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
[slim] Re: Audible difference? Transporter versus SB
Don't forget to disable replay gain and set digital volume to fixed in Player SettingsAudio. It may be so by default, but I can't remember. -- Skunk Skunk's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2685 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=30667 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
[slim] Re: Audible difference? Transporter versus SB
mr_bill;162872 Wrote: If I caught your meaning MC, the Naim CDX you have sounds better than your Transporter? Thanks, Bill Yup, I think so (others probably don't!). The NAIM CDX just has more weight than anything I've tried. The sound seems to be more solid, deep, punchier and just attractive. I'm beginning to think I probably like NAIM colouration. It's possible that the difference to the vast majority of people would be extremely minimal (and to most, probably not discernable at all) and not worth fussing about but I'm a very fussy b** (possibly due to the type of music I prefer and the way I listen to it). And if skunk's post is referring to my comment (I'm not too sure), yes, I have everything set up for audiophile listening (much as I like the idea of replaygain... it just seems to destroy dynamics). MC -- ModelCitizen Now what? Transporter Naim NAP 250 PMC OB1s. Music catalog: http://modelcitizen.mine.nu/music.txt ModelCitizen's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=446 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=30667 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
[slim] Re: Audible difference? Transporter versus SB
ModelCitizen;162876 Wrote: And if skunk's post is referring to my comment (I'm not too sure), yes, I have everything set up for audiophile listening Apologies for ambiguity. I meant to suggest it to the OP. I'm wondering if the Inguz eq might help to recreate some of the lower end weight you said you're missing. -- Skunk Skunk's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2685 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=30667 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
[slim] Re: Audible difference? Transporter versus SB
Peter;162877 Wrote: IANAA (I Am Not An Audiophile), but I understand the attraction of tubes is that they colour the sound. You won't get this colourization from the SB or the Transporter so if that's what you prefer you'll have to wait for the tube version of the Transporter. (well, if they can build a tube CD player, why not a tube network audio player?) Well I have both tube amp and CD player, and I think my system is remarkably linear, and a good representation of what I hear at concert halls. I have heard good solid state amps, but valves are generally more accurate to my ears. (Although I should point out that I normally don't use the tube outs on the CD...) Adam -- adamslim SB3 into Derek Shek d2, Shanling CDT-100, Rotel RT-990BX, Esoteric Audio Research 859, Living Voice Auditorium IIs, Nordost cables adamslim's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=7355 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=30667 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
[slim] Re: Audible difference? Transporter versus SB
nicoff;162861 Wrote: I am transferring the digital data from the SB to a digital preamp (Lexicon MC-1) which does the digital/analog conversion. My first impression is that I sort of prefer the sound of my standalone CD player (by a tiny margin)than when using the SB. (BTW, my CD player is a Sonic Frontier CD-1, a tube player (yes, vacuum tube) that only has analog outputs; no digital). So no D/A conversion is needed by the Lexicon digital preamp when using the CD player. You're wrong about that last sentence. The Lexicon will convert the analog output to digital, do its processing, then convert back to analog. So your CD-1 is going D/A (in the CD-1)-A/D (in the Lexicon)-D/A (in the Lexicon). The Squeezebox's digital signal is going through the same Lexicon D/A as the CD-1, but skipping the first two steps -- so it's pretty much guaranteed that the SB is more neutral and accurate. If you prefer the sound of the CD-1, odds are that you like the euphonious distortions introduced by the tubes. -- mkozlows mkozlows's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=62 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=30667 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Re: Audible difference? Transporter versus SB
adamslim wrote: Peter;162877 Wrote: IANAA (I Am Not An Audiophile), but I understand the attraction of tubes is that they colour the sound. You won't get this colourization from the SB or the Transporter so if that's what you prefer you'll have to wait for the tube version of the Transporter. (well, if they can build a tube CD player, why not a tube network audio player?) Well I have both tube amp and CD player, and I think my system is remarkably linear, and a good representation of what I hear at concert halls. I have heard good solid state amps, but valves are generally more accurate to my ears. Quite possibly, but then again, there's probably nothing more subjective and coloured than the human ear, or perhaps I should say, the human brain. Regards, Peter ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
