Your top ten CD transport???

Sonic signature is due to:

1) jitter differences
2) impedance matching
3) signal edge-rate differences

My current favorite is the Northstar Transport using the I2S interface with some simple I2S mods (from Italy). The I2S leaves all of the S/PDIF transports in the dust IMO.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
Manufacturer

"how it come when comparing few transports with the same cable (digital) there is sonic difference also i was told that a BNC digital cable induce less Jitter this mean better for digital application???"

Simple. The BNC connector is only a small part of the "system" that must transfer the digital signal. The output buffers have a characteristic called "rise time", which will vary significantly from one transport to the next. Also, the output impedance of the transport is hardly ever exactly 75 ohms, as the spec requires. In fact most transports are way off the 75 ohms impedance spec. These things will cause reflections and uncertainty in the detection of the signal transitions, and this causes more jitter in one transport than another. The cable is only one part of the equation. This is why my customers pay me typically ~$1300 to mod their transports. It is to fix these things.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

Gammajo - The Northstar Transport and DAC both get I2S mods to improve the speed and edge-rates and eliminate reflections. This alone makes a big difference in the I2S. Then I do a lot of analog, power mods and PC board improvements to the 192 DAC. It is truly world-class when finished. The mods for both are $1K.

I also have two customers that I am doing Superclock4 mods to the Transport. Have not finished these yet. This is around $550.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
Manufacturer

"Steve, when one is using the Northstar transport, it is necessary to use a DAC with I2S input to get the best results.?"

It will outperform all S/PDIF transports using I2S after it is modded. That is probably enough motivation to use I2S.

"What do you think of balanced digital connections?"

They can be better than some stock S/PDIF interfaces. Depends entirely on the input circuit in the DAC. Some convert immediately to single-ended, so there is no benefit at all for the AES/EBU over the S/PDIF. Once I mod the S/PDIF interface, it is just as good as the AES. Usually, if both interfaces are designed correctly, the AES will sound better due to the common-mode rejection. Still not as good as an I2S interface though.

Steve N.

Tabl10s - Some transports are capable of I2S output, others are not. It is possible to add I2S to some.

I would highly recommend the Northstar transport if you dont have one yet. The Transport is around $2K new and with $300 in mods, it will astound you. Modding your transport to have I2S would probably cost in the $1000-$1500 range anyway.

Steve N.

Gammajo - the mods take it to world-class. Better imaging, dynamics and bass. Bass is the one thing that is hard to get out of this DAC. Great clarity and HF extension too.

send this customer an email and he will describe it:

baulsaudio@cox.net

Steve N.
Empirical Audio