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What transport for my Birdland DAC?

I recently picked up a Birdland Odeon AG with the reclocker upgrade. I added this to my Nad C321i deck used as transport. Since I am commited to the source before upgrading my amp, I imagine I should look for a new trasport as well.
I have read a few past threads that deal with issues like power supplies and clock upgrades in the transport but over all, I haven't got a clue what to look for.
I need some reccomendations for a budget of say under a grand used.
My system is: Nad C321i as trans.;
Audio magic sorcerer digital cable;
Birdland Odeon AG w/upgrade;
Audio magic Excalibur IC;
Nad C370 used as main only;
GMA europas;
Thanks in advance. Scott
abbeydog

Showing 4 responses by tfkaudio

tfkaudio
591 posts
 
Hello,
I've got a Birdland Odeon-Ag with the reclocker, too. Here's what I got running into it:
1) Sony CDP-CX400 jukebox via TOSLink
2) Theta Data II Universal LD/CD transport via coax RCA
3) Berendsen CDP-1 via BNC.

(I have to swap the adapter from RCA to BNC to switch between the Theta and the Berendsen)

Here's the straight dope. They all sound great, but the old Theta wins hands down. Even though it's 10 years old and needs a laser replacement (it's starting to reject some discs that it used to play), it's the clear winner. When I comparison swap between transports, it is with the Theta that I find myself tapping my feet and forgetting to do the next swap. I see there's a Jade out there for $1200 obo. See if you can get it for a grand. (If I don't get if first).
How do you like your Odeon-Ag, by the way? I love mine.

Cheers.

Tom
tfkaudio
591 posts
 
Hello,
I recently called Theta and asked them about servicing my Data II and they said "no problem". They did warn me that it sounded like it needed a new laser and that costs 350 dollars. But it is reassuring to know that they will still gladly service a product that was introduced to the marketplace 12 years ago.
As for the Jade, I believe it was introduced in 2000, so the good news is that you will be buying, at most, a 4 year old player.
Good luck.

Tom

P.S. I noticed there are now 2 Jade's out there in the classifieds.
tfkaudio
591 posts
 
I definitely want to know how you like it. Funny thing, though... I saw on the Theta web site that the Jade was introduced in 1997. Seems too early. Further web searches show nothing before 1999. It's a good bet that they didn't start shipping in quantity until 1999, so hopefully your unit has lots of life left in it. If it's anything like mine (and it should be better), you're gonna like it.

Tom
tfkaudio
591 posts
 
Excellent news! I always worry about steering somebody into a bad deal out here. I wish I had made an offer on one of the two Jades that were out there. I need an upgrade myself, and the Jade is appealing to me because the modern Theta's all come with video circuitry that doesn't interest me. I'm sure another will be along soon enough.

Happy Listening.

Tom
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