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Why use CD Transport instead of computer source

I have been seeking a new digital front end setup and would like some advice on what solution will produce the highest quality digital playback.

My current plan is to add a Slim Devices Transporter possibly mated to an external DAC, after evaluating the Transporter on its own to determine the quality of the internal DAC (which I understand is quite high).

Why would I consider a CD Transport and DAC as an alternative to a computer based source such as this? If I am using EAC to get bit-perfect rips of my CDs and I encode them in a lossless format like FLAC, there doesnt seem like there could be any benefit to using a CD Transport, in fact, the computer based source should be better if the rips are done bit-perfect.

Any comments on why there is still a high end market for CD transports given the availability of top computer based sources like the Slim Transporter?
superquant

Showing 2 responses by hamburg

hamburg
69 posts
 
yes there is but I don't fully understand why. Why does one transport sound better than another? Some say it is due to Jitter. Mod companies generally improve the clock to reduce Jitter and replace the power supply. Despite such changes there are still strong differences between transports. Why does changing the digital cable change the characteristics of the sound if all it needs to transfer is 1's and 2'?.
I use a pc transport into a USB/ Balanced Digital output. It goes into an Appoge Big Ben Reclocker to reduce the Jitter produced by an inferior PC transport clock. Finally it goes into my Accustic Arts tube DAC before entering my N32 pre Amp. Despite all this, my Cec TL0X belt driven transport blows it away. Why, I don't know but it sure does. Richard
hamburg
69 posts
 
TBG- what does the Exemplar server do differently? I had always felt that if one separated the computer into two components; one for power, disk drive, Chip/Fan and the other for CD reader, low power electrics ,Clocks and connections, Sound could improve. Even perhaps a belt drive CD such as with the Cec might help.

I am not sure that all it takes is avoiding read errors. If that is so, why does different digital cables sound so different?

I looked at you current setup and it appears that you have spent considerable time and money on your setup. Your Acoustic Arts DAC + Transport are great. So when you say that a server sounds better than that, I am quite curious to hear it for myself.

To date, I have not found high resolution 24/196 recordings via my computer sound as good red book CD via CEC transport bud AA tube Dac. I look forward to hearing your evaluation in your present system.

Richard
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