ModWright Transporter

I have listened to both extensively. I went with the MW and am very glad I did. The TP is teriffic, but the MW is to my ears more listenable. Warmer and much more musical. Sounds live, sometimes scarily so (as in I am startled by a sound that seems to come from something in the room as opposed to from a recording).

The mod makes this a pretty expensive source. However, it can be run directly from power to speaker w/no pre and sounds great that way. I suppose the stock can be used that way, but based on my listening a pre helps more with the stock. I assume because the stock is a tad cold and the pre helps with that.

Either way you go, digital streaming is the greatest. Most fun I have had with my music for ages.

I've borrowed a Transporter for the week-end from my local dealer to compare it to my current Sonos/PS Audio DAC combo. I have to say that I am underwhelmed thus far by the stock Transporter. While the sound is more 'analog' and better with listening fatigue than the Sonos combo, it lacks dynamics and presence - at least in what I've listened to so far (Porcupine Tree, Sting, Peter Gabriel, Steely Dan, Dave Brubeck). I ran the Transporter through my PS Audio DAC for awhile and it's closer to the sound I'm looking for but still not there. For my budget, the Transporter is not worth the extra $1650 (the cost difference between the Transporter and the Sonos ZP-80), let alone another $2,000 for what the ModWright "might" bring me. If I try a mod on faith, it will be the $500 Cullen Circuits mod for Sonos.

I still believe in the approach of the Transporter (and Sonos), but it's not there yet. I could be blown away by the ModWright, but hearing is believing and until I can hear it I remain skeptical. Besides, there will likely be many solutions in the coming months to compete on this front. I think most equipment manufacturers see the writing on the wall and are heading that direction. Until I hear something I really like (and can afford), I'll make due with my current setup and wait.

I've considered the transporter and the MW version, but I've been quite satisfied with my Apogee Duet.

Hey!

I just got the info from Danny over at Sonicflare (Great site! btw.)

He got his review up for MW Transporter.
http://www.sonicflare.com/archives/review-modwright-truth-transporter.php

I have studied the mod upgrade and can assure you that the warm sound coloration is contributed from the pre-amp analog stage that Dan transfers from his Mod wright tube pre-amp to the Transporter upgrade. The DAC is untouched and original op-amps in the analog stage are eliminated in place for Mod wright pre-amp analog out put stage. Quite clever and does work effectively.

I have a stock transporter and have the analog out fed to my Melos 333 tube pre-amp through my unbalance 75 ohm coax, nicely cabled Straight wire Virtuoso, and than have the balance 110 ohm XLR Straight wire Virtuso cabled out to a proceed solid state pre-amp.

A/B I find the tube pre-amp with the description mentioned with air and present of the recording in the room and not from the equipment. The solid state very accurate almost clinical in presentation with more of the dry digital fatigue.

I conclude that if you have a nice tube pre-amp and fix your stock transporter volume 100% not lose bits/resolution and use the volume control of the analog pre-amp results will be similar or even better than the mod depending pre-amp selection and the trial/error of tube rolling of chosen pre-amp.

Enjoy Music.