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PS Audio DLIII w/ Cullen level 4 vs Transporter

I'm curious if anyone has ever done a comparison between the PS Audio DLIII DAC w/ Cullen Level 4 Mod and a stock Logitech Transporter.

The PS Audio DLIII would be fed by an HTPC via either USB or SPDIF (opionions on the preferred method here are welcomed!). The DAC would be sourced directly into a Musical Fidelity KW500 feeding a pair of Focal/JMLab 1027be's.

I'd love to consolidate into the HTPC since it's so much more flexible than the transporter, but I obviously won't sacrifice sound for convenience. Since I can't return a modified DLIII, I figured I'd post here first to try and gather some opinion where I can.

Any suggestions, comments, advice, etc is greatly appreciated!

-Ben
fatgh0st

Showing 1 response by joey54

joey54
435 posts
 
I have compared the PS Audio DLIII DAC w/ Cullen Level 3 Mods and a stock Logitech Transporter. It may be system dependent so YMMV but I preferred the Transporter. I thought that the DLIII with the Mods was close but that the midrange of the TP was better. The convenience factor was part of my decision as well.

If you go with the PS Audio piece do not use the USB input. I bought a HagTech converter and it sounded much better using the S/PDIF input. When using the USB input the TP was way better across the board. The Level 4 mod added some change to the S/PDIF which may also effect the sound quality and might favor the DLIII over the TP.

I used balanced interconnects for both pieces and since your MF has only SE inputs you should probably get some additional feedback.

I also compared the DLIII/Cullen with the Benchmark DAC1 and thought the DLIII/Cullen was much better. Again, depending on your system YMMV and hearing the options in your own system would give you the best evaluation.

I have subsequently upgraded my TP with the Modwright upgrades, which is better still.
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