Modwright sony xa5400 vs Modwright Oppo 95

Jwm, what tubes are you rolling in the MW Oppo and Sony?

I'm rolling TS 5u4gb and BT CVBT-181s in my MW Transporter. I prefer the BT over the Sophia's ... BT is more musical and Sophia a little harder sounding.

From my experience, with a little work, the MW Transporter is competitive with players costing much more. Several months ago dealer dropped off a Lampizator L4, had it for a week or so and the showdown was very interesting.

Wig, I tried Sylvania bad boys and it was too sweet for my taste. At the time I was using a Mullard GZ32 so probably too much of a good thing.

I found the Transporter is also very sensitive to rectifier tube. It took a while and $$ to find the right combination but well worth it. I like the BT and TS combination so getting off the bus for now.

Rfogel8, if you like the Tung-Sol RP, I think you will like the Black Treasure.

In my next tube order, I'll try some of your suggestions.

I have a MW Transporter and I think the analog section is probably very similar to the Oppo and Sony. I found Elrod Statement II the best PC on the Transporter ... also the Lamp. Improvements are NOT aubtle.

Wig, I also find your results exact opposite with the CV181.

Compare to the Sophia, Sophia is harder, edgier in a negative way, less musical and airy. Imaging and soundstaging similar.

As far as fuses, I'm using all HiFi Tuning. Keeping everything constant, volume, tracks ... I A/B stock vs HiFi-Tuning in my preamp and found HiFi Tuning much much superior. I repeated the test 7 to 8 times just to confirm my results. Also the direction of the fuse makes a huge difference. In the wrong direction, sound is limiting and very lean. FWIW, In the latest TAS, Shunyata can now measure differences in fuses.

Wig, I don't have a MW Sony but MW Transporter. Fuse is not easily accessible and forgot the direction. In my VAC Sig MKIIa preamp, facing the fuse holder, I prefer the right to left direction.

The difference and improvements were so dramatic, I repeated the test many many times to confirm it wasn't just too much wine from dinner :-) I'm not into tweaks but these do make a difference.

Please report your results after everything settles. I will be very interested.

12-20-12: Dave_b
Modwright has a special this weekend only...I just ordered my second XA5400ES full mod wt Truth Umbilical and Bybee purifiers for the AC rails:) I made the mistake of selling my first one and have lamented ever since:( There will be music again, sometime near the middle of January!!
Dave_b (System | Reviews | Threads | Answers | This Thread)

Dan is taking orders on MW Oppo 105 and I would wait for owner reviews before ordering a XA5400.

There's an AC thread and appears 105 is a BIG winner.