What is the best transport?


I want to upgrade my transport. I am using the Audio Note CDT 2. My dac is the Audio Note 2.1x sig. I have not yet auditioned any new transports, but have read up on the Audio Note CDT 4 and the Esoteric P-03.

Both of these are in the 16-18k price range. My budget can go that high. Will my dac be good enough or be overpowered?

What else is available which should be considered?
changeout

Showing 3 responses by levy03

i enjoy a pretty good computer based system using the PSA perfect wave dac and bridge. have some friends who also have good PC set-ups. the convenience and features of PC audio are outstanding. i really enjoy it.

that being said...i have not heard ANYTHING in the PC realm that can touch my perfect wave transport. for normal listening, my pc set-up is more then adequate. for critical listening, i go for the PWT. contrary to what some folks think, i've found pc audio still has some work to do.

the PWT is an incredible piece of equipment. given its price, i'd call it a "giant killer". think anyone considering spending several thousand on a transport should give it an audition.

good luck
Changeout: you're gonna have a tuff time finding a better sounding transport at anywhere near the price of the pwt. thought so 3 years ago when i got the thing and still think so today. even though my pc set/up sounds great (pwdII/bridge), i still go back to the pwt for critical listening. it really is a special piece of gear. wish it wasn't!....i'd love to sell it to pursue other shiny toys. could pack away all my disc's for good as well.

you made a good choice imho. enjoy!
Canb: spot on buddy...we're miles away from plug & play. have spent countless hours to get my pc set-up where it is today and even then...i run into the dreaded "glitch" once in a while. three years of tweaking, head scratching, help desk calls ect....have me wondering how close we are to a true high quality "plug & play" pc set-up.

between the hardware, software, network and everything else, all the variables are mind numbing. you can get good sound pretty easy imo. getting great sound is something else entirely. thinking i'm pretty close now but it sure wasn't easy getting here.

don't get me wrong. i'm a pc audio fan boy and love my set-up. just want to help others understand where we are in the game. if you don't have the time, patients and will to get it right....you're in for some disappointment and frustration

cheers