Anyone optimized their ModWright Transporter yet?

I haven't heard it, but I'm interested to know your impressions, especially compared to vinyl

Well, it's a long story, so bear with me...

I was probably one of the last audiophiles to buy a CD player. Didn't own one until the mid-90's when I wanted new music that wasn't available on LP. So all my comparisons are vs. LP's!

About 5 years ago, I bought a DAC, and began using my CDP as a transport only. I figured that after 20 years, digital technology must have improved. The DAC I bought was a Perpetual Technologies P3a, and I wasn't totally thrilled with it. I then sent to Dan Wright to mod. I was extremely impressed with the transformation with the sound. Everything was much more coherent, with less digital glare. Nevertheless, it was still digital. So about 80% of my listening was still LP's (mostly classical).

Last fall, I tried the Slim Devices Transporter, and at the end of the free 30-day trial, I gave up on it. But I really love the concept of having all of your music collection at your fingertips. Until I ripped my CD's, I didn't even realize that I had 5 different versions of Dvorak's Cello Concerto, and now it's trivial to compare Jacqueline du Pre and Yo-yo Ma versions, at a moment's notice. Cool!

But the original Transporter, as delivered, came across to me as detailed, accurate, and extended (like an Ortofon Jubilee on steroids), and very much in-your-face. I'd listen for maybe an hour, then go back to my TT.

Over the holidays, I heard about Dan Wright's mods for the Transporter, so I went to the AudioCircle ModWright web pages and read up on the development process he went through. I got a nice little Christmas bonus and decided to invest in my own pleasure ;-)

My vinyl rig is a Scoutmaster with a Shelter 501-II cartridge. I've been pretty happy with it for the last 4 years (the cart is 2 yrs old). I probably play 3-4 hours every evening, often more. But now, the MW Transporter steals 75% of my listening time. It's really compelling and fun to listen to. So how's it compare, you asked?

It is both more extended, and more dynamic than my TT. In particular, the bass drive is much more insistent, and the highs more natural (c.f. cymbals!!). I think the analog rig does a better job on female vocalists, and has a slightly better sense of instrumental timbre. But what impresses me most about the MW Transporter is the sense of "aliveness" which was clearly missing with the Slim Devices original Transporter. I keep being startled by ambience noises that I think are in the room with me (did someone sneeze?). I love it! I treasure that "you are there" feeling, especially with large scale symphonic works, which are clearly better reproduced by the MW. It's easier to follow orchestral lines and development. For instance, Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No.1 should be played with the piano treated as a percussion instrument, sharp, metallic-almost, hammered. The ModWright does a terrific job of delivering this sound, and the DRIVE as played by Martha Argerich.

It could be that everyone else's digital is now this good too. I don't have enough experience with other gear to know. Certainly this is the best sound I've ever heard from my system, so I'm a happy camper. In fact, it's leading me to question my analog rig... maybe there's something wrong with it because it's so thoroughly outclassed. In fact, I'm actively exploring upgrading my vinyl, because the ModWright has revealed there's more to be had!

Hope this helps!

df

Thanks for the in depth response. I recently got into vinyl which so far tops all digital sources I've compared, excepting 24/96 DVD, which comes very close when done right. Anyway I'm currently researching digital sources and music servers that can bring me closer to that vinyl sound and feel. Thanks again.

Hey. I have had my MW TP for about a month now.

I too liked, but did not love, the unmodded TP. I agree that it is a tad analytical sounding. Pretty good still, but not great.

The MW TP, however, is probably the best source I have heard. I cannot compare it to a high end TT, because I play my vinyl on a mid-fi system w/an old and mediocre TT. On my hi-fi (Aerial Model 9s, Classe Cam-350s, TP into amps w/no pre), it is just great and is dramatically better than the Classe cdp it replaced and any other cdp I have heard (w/ the possible exception of an Esoteric Universal). Except for the vinyl comparison, Orjazzm's experience is similar to mine. I also find it very real and live sounding. Details are so real that I too have been startled by something in the music.

Great product. Highly recommended.

I've been hoping for a good comparison of the Modwright Transporter vs. the APL version. Both Dan and Alex have done great work. It would be very interesting to see a throwdown between the two.