What is the best transport?

Hew, I cannot agree more with you about Phil and the AO!

Preliminary results against my DTR-M digital transport show significant improvement of the computer. The difference is now almost negligible, but I feel there is a tad more needed from the computer.

I'd really appreciate your input about any further possible improvements. You are also welcome to email me if you'd like.

Thanks much!
Alex Peychev
APL Hi-Fi

Yes, it is USB connection via USB3.0 to PCIx controller running on linear power.

I also agree with Dvavc and Charles1dad. I also did some passionate posts online, similar to what Dvavc wrote.

It takes a great effort to get a good sound from a computer, but that also applies to a dedicated digital transport.

We have built a "super audio computer" that runs on a specially designed linear power supply that is built in another enclosure and there is umbilical cord between the two. This computer produces the best sound I've ever heard from a computer, but still lacks against my digital transport. Why?

The answer is simple; there are still tons of switching power supplies (the so called charge pumps) built into the Mother Board that supply your processor and memory. Disabling those and replacing them with linear power is almost next to impossible, unless we design our own Mother Board. Then we can argue that the computer might be as good as a dedicated digital transport that runs on pure linear power.

Also, l'd like to point out that a digital transport based on the newer digital processing has all those "bit-perfect" and "memory buffering" technologies available, just like any computer. :-)

Bottom line, IMHO, it is impossible to beat a well designed digital transport with a computer.

I record my vinyl in DSD format to SD card using a highly re-designed Tascam DA-3000 recorder. Then I use this for comparison against the vinyl on A-B test. The computer sounds good, but always sort of "glassy" and mechanical compared to the vinyl.

Vinyl rig is Kuzma newest Stabi M table with his 4Piont arm with Dynavector DV-XV1S cartridge that was perfectly aligned and fine-tuned to the arm and table by Kuzma factory. I personally haven't heard a turntable to sound like this. I never thought it is possible. :-)

Best wishes,
Alex Peychev
APL Hi-Fi

Charles,
Even the latest super-quitet switching power supplies lack against a linear one, at least this is my experience. It is probably because a switching power supply cannot provide linear impedance vs. frequency, which results in mechanical sound, especially at the upper mids and highs.

Well, I have mentioned what vinyl rig I use for a reference. Maybe Steve will tell us what is his?

IMO, unless you compare to SOTA analog, there is no point claiming how good digital sounds.

For example, I have every digital copy ever made (CD and SACD) of Ella and Louis first mono recording. While the latest Analogue Productions SACD sounds most natural of all, it is still far away from the vinyl I have made by Speakers Corner Records in Germany. Now I can't wait to receive my Analogue Production 45rpm copy! :-)

Best wishes,
Alex Peychev
APL Hi-Fi

Jeff,

I've been lusting over such a copy for quite some time now, but wasn't sure it will sound as good. :-)

Thanks for your input, I appreciate it! Will buy it and let you know.

Best wishes,
Alex Peychev
APL Hi-Fi

Jeff, thanks again. Would it be possible to email me? I'd appreciate it very much!

alex [at] aplhifi [dot] com.

I have found a copy, but would like to ask your opinion about it. Also posted something on your audio system thread, but still waiting "moderator approval".

Best wishes,

Alex

From my experience, if a computer system is properly configured, it's always superior to a CD transport.

- Asus MoBo with Z77 chipset and a quad core 3-rd gen i5 that has NO built in graphics to contaminate the memory/controller.

- 32GB RAM.

- 3TB mirroring Hitachi HDDs.

- Plextor and Samsung SSDs.

- PCIx to USB3.0 converter using the latest Renesas chip.

- Fanless Asus video card.

- External custom-made, all-linear power supply with 12V, 5V and 3.3V outputs.

- Win 8 (x64) with all available "audio tweaks" + Fidelizer running.

- JRiver MC19, Foobar, JPLAY audio players.

Whoever auditions it says they've never heard a computer sounding so good.

Still my DTR-M digital transport beats it in terms of richer and more analog presentation, totally lacking mechanical sound, and much similar to my reference Kuzma/Dynavector vinyl rig.

This is the case with both PCM (CD) and DSD (SACD) formats.

Hope this helps!

Best wishes,
Alex Peychev
APL Hi-Fi

Hi Hew, thanks for the tip!

Will try this and report back.

BR,
Alex Peychev

Thanks to Hew, I have installed Win Server 2012 R2 and also the Audiophile Optimizer.

Just installing the 2012 R2 made a nice difference in sound compared to Win 8, but the result of running the Server 2012 in core mode with the AO is the absolute best possible sound I've ever heard from a computer - "digititis" is gone and I hear pure analog-like music. Simply amazing and highly recommended - a real hope for computer based audio.

Will follow up with shootout results against my DTR-M digital transport and the Kuzma/Dynavector table in a couple of days.

Bottom line, since I have both Apple and the Server 2012 based commuters, you really need the above mentioned setup to really hear what is possible.

Thanks again Hew for the info!

Best wishes,
Alex Peychev
APL Hi-Fi