Which DAC, connection type and cable will you be using?? |
Levinson 31.5!!!!!!!!!!I don't own it,WISH I did .$$$$$
Best
George |
George - what about your Northstar? That's worth mentioning. |
I have a Reimyo DAP-777 DAC. LOVE IT. Cable right now is a Cardas but this I will play with. I want to buy what I can use as a reference piece because I love the DAC so much. |
I'd go with the Levinson 31.5, or even the 37, then the Wadia (not sure about company stabilty). The dCS I have heard can be flakey, and interacts best with it's own processor. The Sony is not in the same league as the rest of these. |
Why didn't Mark Levinson make a new transport since the 31.5 one was so ledgendary? It almost seems they are making lower class of products these days. |
They all have non-optimal S/PDIF outputs, by design. Read this for an explanation:
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue14/spdif.htm |
I had a ML31.5 for over five years in my system and found it to be a great transport regarding its sonic signature. It had replaced a CEC TL-1 which had a soothing, romantic sound but lacked PRAT and details in my system. I now have a Ensemble dirondo transport which has the best qualties of both transports and wonderful swiss quality of construction. I see someone is selling one at a very reasonable on the gon right now. I believe at the listed price it would be in your budget range with the other transports you listed. It really is a wonderful sounding piece you might want to see if you can audition one. Hope this is somewhat helpful to you. Teajay
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Considered Emm Labs?
One you've heard one, and seen their client/user list, you may want to. Their CDSD is truly world-class with DAC6e.
-Dean |
I think you should consider the EMM gear.
HP from TAS thinks that the Emm Labs CDSD transport is an enlightening break in audio history after a decade. Users rave about it, partnered with the DCC2 or DAC6e.
Good Luck, I am sure with your list you'll do well anyway.
Neville |
Mark Levinson 37....no complaints here !! |
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IMO CDSD still has too many problems. If money is no object - MBL 1621A - the best there is right now. |
Too many choices and not enough time to audition. The Ensemble dirondo transport looks amazing but I decided to try an American product first. I bought a Wadia 270 and will have it modified by Steve at GNS. I have a friend with the Levinson so I can compare the two. I think we all live in a bit of a fantasy land explaining how we just got a gret deal on $450 power cords but $18,000 for the MBL 1621A is just a little out of my price range. |
I'm using a Wadia 270 SE and am more than happy with it. It's built like a tank and has about every output you would need. Not sure about compatability with your DAC though. That would take an actual listening test. But I will vouch for it's reliability and build quality. |
i would rather go for Levinson, sorry, but Wadia is just toooooooooooooooooooo digital :) |
indeed, I'm having Levinson 37 but want to go for CEC-TLO. What a hobby? We can't never stop, can we?
Well, used to own Wadia products too, just never like the sound.......... sorry if I disapoint anyone outthere, not mean to! |
Just as side note -- but aren't there only 3-4 manufacturers of generic transports out there (Philips, Sony, Teac, CEC maybe)? Why not determine which manufacturer is more to yr liking and then short-list the brands using that transport?
I, for one, prefer the Philips and Teac transports (Philips="musical", Teac= "an extra octave in the bass"). Cheers |
This is my first dedicated transport. I think I will try it and then the Levinson. Maybe the best thing to do is sell them both and buy the Reimyo player since this sells for about $12000 used. Well I will know next week if it was a mistake or not. What transport is Accuphase and MBL using? I would guess Philips. |
Just a note, my Wadia 270 transport is fantastic. Clean and musical. I was not expecting such an improvement over using my CAL CL-10 or my Meridian 588 as my transport but it is remarkable. Even my wife noticed a big difference. She did ask why in the world would I want something that could only play a single CD though. Funny. Well now I am going to enjoy this for a month and then get it to Steve at GNS for modifications. |
Now I think it is World class. I had it upgraded to the 270 SE with GNS modifications. I also added an ST connector to my Reimyo DAC and use the digital cable mode that makes this must musical digital system I have every auditioned. |
Wadia = Killer, never could go wrong. |
Bryanhod -> Did you have a chance to compare it to the ML transport you mentioned ? |
I would forget about the 31.5. When/will Madrigal continue to support it? |
The ML Nº 31.5 transport is full supported by Harman Specialty Group. It is the Nº 31 that is in limited support. The Nº 37 is also fully supported. |
I did compare it and as stand alone transport I think I liked it a little better but after the upgrades no contest Wadia 270 SE with mods by GNS was better. |
