Better Transport than CAL Delta

Is the DAC a Delta Sigma Converter? If so, one of the best transports believe it or not is a $89 Aiwa CD Changer from Best Buy. Some info available from the Chicago Audio Society at http://www.chicagoaudio.org/ who discovered it (search work Aiwa), and also search in other AudiogoN threads for Chicago Audio, Aiwa, and Stan Warren who will do a small mod to the Aiwa and make a good transport into a great one. Chicago Audio's Aiwa paired with a highly modified regular MSB Link DAC is their reference player for comparison purposes.

Aiwa doesn't make the XC-37 M anymore. You'll have to find one used. Oh, that's the transport Sugarbrie was referring to. You need either the XC-37 M or the XC-35 M.

Classe' CDT 1 - Can be found used for $1k

The DAC is the Alpha, and it is not upgraded to 24/96.

After intrigued by the fable, I got one and it was no comparison to a Proceed PDT-3.

Before you go away from the Alpha, I'd very strongly recommend that you listen to a 24/96 Alpha. With good tubes, it'll blow you away!!!!

As far as the transport goes, listen to Theta if you can afford it. I had a Delta as well and after much evaluation chose the Pioneer Elite CLD-91 Laserdisc player for my transport. I would have chosen the Theta Voyager but it was beyond my reach price-wise. Both are outstanding sounding transports.... I don't know why the LD players playing cd's sound better than most cd players but check it out for yourself - you won't be disappointed. In addition, you'll pickup another format as well.

Again, really think about the upgrade for your Alpha - it's worth it!!!

Good Luck!

Steve

Steve,
I did swap the tubes in my DAC to 1963 GE Large Plates, and it was a Huge difference. The guys at my local shop are not recommending the 24/96 upgrade, they say take the upgrade money and sell the CAL and get a better DAC. As I stated I did just get the Integra Research RDC-7, and we are starting to prefer the DAC's in it to the CAL. So I see an opportunity to sell and get some $$$ for a new style of transport, either a dedicated CD or DVD/CD transport.

Thanks for all of the advice

If you don't have a DVD player yet, the Sony 7000/7700
will smoke your Delta. And they are cheap! Besides,
you get a great DVD player.

spend your money on upgrading the dac end

I have Cal and went to an EVS MIllenium II
a huge jaw dropping experience

much more lively, resolving, musical, warm etc
makes all the Cal dacs sound slow and veiled in comparison

Tom

www.tweakaudio.com

If you are looking for a used Aiwa, in addition to the newest XC-37M and the earlier XC-35M, the earliest machine was the XC-30M.