Help needed: CD Transport

[Nordlys]

Hi fellow music lovers

I’m in the process of assembling, what I hope, will end up being a serious setup
So far I have the speakers, DAC(preamp), AMP & power management, that I believe is “up” there

Benchmark DAC2 HGC
Bryston 14B SST2
ATC SCM 100 Classic
& a Furman P2300 IT E
These are my “keepers”, I do have a decent CD player, a TEAC PD 501HR, nice little device
But here is where your Help would be most appreciated - I’d love to upgrade to a really great CD transport

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this matter & off course what you use your self

All inputs are highly appreciated!

Finding and getting a demo of high end gear here in little Denmark is not easy
-I have tried to get a demo of the Bricasti M5 for some 6 months now, the only way so far is a privat demo a nice guy have offered me, the dealer only takes home units when you buy one

Thanks upfront for your time

Jesper “studio Gear head”

[antonio]

Are you able to get a dem of a CEC transport? We demo'ed one a couple of years ago against a Project RS Box, and although we purchase the Project since it was only to be used as a 2nd source, the CEC was better. One cdp I would love to hear would be this https://www.hifisentralen.no/forumet/torget-annonse-nr-202429

[Macca]

I'd stick with the TEAC. There's only so much a cd transport can contribute and the TEAC is almost certainly already doing it. Plus it looks pretty cool too.

[Spectral Morn]

I'd stick with the TEAC. There's only so much a cd transport can contribute and the TEAC is almost certainly already doing it. Plus it looks pretty cool too.

Better transports make a massive difference to sound quality in my direct experience over the years. Last time I had that reinforced was comparing two esoteric transports, the dearer of the two destroyed the cheaper. Over the years I have done comparisons and owned transports from companies like Marantz, Micromega, Audiomecca, Meridian, Deltec, Teac, Wadia, Esoteric, to name a few and in every case the better quality the transport the better the reproduction of music was. Digital cabling is important as well.

My advice seek out a quality used transport from Esoteric, CEC, Micromega, Audiomecca or similar. Bits are bits argument holds no water and the better the transport the better the music will be, and a dedicated CD transport is the preferred path, not a DVD player.

[walpurgis]

Good advice there from Neil. I agree with all that.

[antonio]

Another plus from me, a good transport makes a difference. Macca, I would think the reason your Technics sounds so good is because it has a good transport.

[Macca]

Not disputing that the transport can make a difference and in some case a big difference. I just don't think it will in this specific case. The Teac has separate power supply for the digital stage, looks well engineered. There's a limit to how good you can get.

That's just, like, my opinion of course. But then opinions was what was asked for.

[Johnny nocash]

Talking of esoteric, try this. I reckon they think it makes a difference:eek:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ESOTERIC-P-0s-VUK-CD-Transport-used-version-upped-JAPAN-audio-player/333032860964?hash=item4d8a4e2d24:g:mBcAAOSwH2tbXIL m

[Blueflash]

I have an Audionote CDT3 transport. One of the reasons for buying it, is support. If anything goes wrong, Audionote have large stocks of the Phillips Pro mechanisms to keep it running for years to come. It sounds very good as well :-)

[Bencat]

I have two CD transports one is a Meridian 200 and it works well and sounds fine . In isolation I do not think you would have much of a feeling that your are missing much if anything . However in my main music system I have Theta Data Basic transport and even I have to admit that it is just better in all areas . I bought it second hand for around £250 about ten years ago and I have never felt the need to improve on it . it is not the last word on any testing specification chart but it is still the most musical Transport I have heard .

Problem is you need to hear as mant Ransports in your system and against your TEAC . I used to have a TEAC P500 unit which was superb but proved to be a little unreliable which was a real shame . I would suggest if you can you try and orgainse a Transport Bake Off and ask anyone coming to bring a Transport which will give you a chance of hearing a number of units in your system and seeing how the TEAC compares .

[Nordlys]

Thanks guys

A lot of good advice, much appreciated!

Many new brands to research, just what I hope for...inspiration

I have had the pleasure of borrowing an Esoteric dv-50s, a Tascam 9010 and a Micromega “something rather”
But over time, so never side by side...as I recall the Esoteric was great, the Tascam was good and the Micromega didn’t really impress/beat my TEAC vrds 1, so not really a contender in my book

The Japanese Esoteric recommendation from Johnny nocash, great name by the way :) is waaay out of my league

Its also my personal experience that the quality of the Transport makes a difference, why I’m on this quest ;)
When we tested we used the same setup only changing the transports (and also the same CD & cables of course), but the sound changed with the better transport also more than a better cable could have done IMO

There is actually a Audiomecca llx for sale locally, but as far as I can tell, they ore anyone else don’t service these 15 year old CD transports any longer + he wants a lot of money for it 1500£

I might just fix my old TEAC VRDS 1 & maybe upgrade it... but I’d much prefer a new unit

I actually have tried to demo the Audio Note unit, but no luck so far, Denmark is just to small, sometimes

[Spectral Morn]

Thanks guys

A lot of good advice, much appreciated!

Many new brands to research, just what I hope for...inspiration

I have had the pleasure of borrowing an Esoteric dv-50s, a Tascam 9010 and a Micromega “something rather”
But over time, so never side by side...as I recall the Esoteric was great, the Tascam was good and the Micromega didn’t really impress/beat my TEAC vrds 1, so not really a contender in my book

The Japanese Esoteric recommendation from Johnny nocash, great name by the way :) is waaay out of my league

Its also my personal experience that the quality of the Transport makes a difference, why I’m on this quest ;)
When we tested we used the same setup only changing the transports (and also the same CD & cables of course), but the sound changed with the better transport also more than a better cable could have done IMO

There is actually a Audiomecca llx for sale locally, but as far as I can tell, they ore anyone else don’t service these 15 year old CD transports any longer + he wants a lot of money for it 1500£

I might just fix my old TEAC VRDS 1 & maybe upgrade it... but I’d much prefer a new unit

I actually have tried to demo the Audio Note unit, but no luck so far, Denmark is just to small, sometimes

The Audiomecca use a Sanyo laser, one with flying leads not the plug on the end. The 2x is a nice machine, but Audiomecca are no longer in business, so repairs require a talented, creative engineer. In saying that, find one and they are fixable. Price you mention sounds about right, for a machine that cost about 5000 Euros new, and has a bit of a cult following.

[Macca]

Its also my personal experience that the quality of the Transport makes a difference, why I’m on this quest ;)


There's the problem of confusing a difference in presentation with a difference in quality, they aren't the same thing. Better quality to me means giving greater insight into the recording. Wheras presentation is just a subjective preference. In general I prefer Sony to Marantz, presentation wise, and plenty of people prefer Marantz. But to say one is 'better' than the other is just down to personal taste.


AS you live in Denmark you should have easy access to the German market and they have all sorts of weird and wonderful kit available second hand. However I still think you'll struggle to find a transport that is demonstrably better than your Teac in quality terms.

[Nordlys]

Hi Martin

You are of course right! And sound is very personal
And a super valid point

A good indicator is that of all my hifi friends 20 ore so, non of us have anywhere near the same setup

Mind you some of that is down to the size of the room/ house, income and the X factor “ownership”
Like me I LOVE studio grad gear, the industrial no nonsense look and feel, is the “thing” for me, I’m a simple jeans & T-shirt kind of guy

In contrast one of my brothers best friends has an all Gryphon setup with big Martin Logan’s & serously expensive cables etc. Great sounding setup, he LOVES Gryphon gear...waaaay out of my pay grade/ economical commitment to sound gear

However I’m also a big kid, and I love to play with cables, feet, fuses, room acoustic and all other aspects of this wonderful hobby

Back on track: My new transport....

Have any of you tried the PS Audio PW transport?

As a gear head I think this solution to CD playback is inspired, unlike the AudioMecca with takes great care to install correctly, like a turntable, it’s dependent on mechanical decoupling where as this decouples the sensitive CD drive/reader Electronicly thus eliminating jitter

This was my first “love”/contender for my new CD transport, but your ideals and experiences are much appreciated as it’s “a jungle out there”, soooo much nice gear so little time :)

Jesper

[anubisgrau]

These days apart from sound quality I would tend to check availability of vital parts, laser mech etc. There's some great machines you can't use anymore because no more spare parts.

[Spectral Morn]

Hi Martin

You are of course right! And sound is very personal
And a super valid point

A good indicator is that of all my hifi friends 20 ore so, non of us have anywhere near the same setup

Mind you some of that is down to the size of the room/ house, income and the X factor “ownership”
Like me I LOVE studio grad gear, the industrial no nonsense look and feel, is the “thing” for me, I’m a simple jeans & T-shirt kind of guy

In contrast one of my brothers best friends has an all Gryphon setup with big Martin Logan’s & serously expensive cables etc. Great sounding setup, he LOVES Gryphon gear...waaaay out of my pay grade/ economical commitment to sound gear

However I’m also a big kid, and I love to play with cables, feet, fuses, room acoustic and all other aspects of this wonderful hobby

Back on track: My new transport....

Have any of you tried the PS Audio PW transport?

As a gear head I think this solution to CD playback is inspired, unlike the AudioMecca with takes great care to install correctly, like a turntable, it’s dependent on mechanical decoupling where as this decouples the sensitive CD drive/reader Electronicly thus eliminating jitter

This was my first “love”/contender for my new CD transport, but your ideals and experiences are much appreciated as it’s “a jungle out there”, soooo much nice gear so little time :)

Jesper

I would love to try the PS Audio transport and DAC, interesting designs and PS Audio strike me as being a good company that care about their customers. I have heard them at various HiFi shows, but not in my own set up.

The Audiomeccas aren't that hard to set up and use. Adjust the mechanism to be level, easy to do, place on a level surface and away you go.

[Nordlys]

Hi guys

My search has ended, for now

Thanks for all your great insight & inspiration

Here is what happened:
A good friend of mine found a cheap PS Audio Transport in Germany & just across the boarder, from a dealer he has used before so
The transport was so cheap in fact, that he brought it straight away, as he new that I was interested

So here I am waiting for my “new” toy like a kid before Christmas

[da2222]

Don't forget the Bel Canto CD 2, built like a tank, looks great and sounds very nice indeed...

25180

[da2222]

....Ah just seen you're sorted..Good luck!

[Nordlys]

Hi Drew

Great post, I didn’t know that bel canto made a CD-Transport only players, their DAC’s sound great a friend of mine has one, I forget what it’s called, but nice product overall

Again THANKS so much for all your inputs & inspiration, I greatly appreciate it

Jesper

[Macca]

Let us know your thoughts when you have had a good listen to it.

[Nordlys]

Hi Niel

I contacted one of the local hifi gurus, a guy I know well and he knows me & my taste, he said that the AudioMecca was indeed a fine player, but it wasn’t for me, as it is a “package” that sounds good “as is” so using it just as a CD-Transport would be missing the point

My point comparing it to the PS Audio, was more to show/tell the difference between the two approaches to “the same problem”
In fact what attracted me too the AudioMecca 2x was the fact it was built by a record player designer, combined with a laser designer, looking at CD mechanisms that way makes a lot of sense to me
+ I use to have turntables, so setting one up wasn’t totally out of my league

What then turned me around again was the PS Audio approach, maybe an all new media(LP vs CD) needed a new approach
That and the fact that people, also around me, is getting great sound from download’s & ripped CD’s +other formats, from what is essentially “computers” ore servers

A “place” I think we all end up in a near future

I for one enjoy streaming, all though my listening behavior is different from say CD, I tend to jump/skip more during streaming listening, also why I wanted a good CD Transport

But it’s hard to beat the flexibility, shear volume of music content, all at your finger tips

Just my 2 cents

Jesper

[Nordlys]

Hi Martin

Jup! Will do...!
Hopefully my new gadget will arrive at the end of this week

Also just to try a little of the other approach, I’ll fix my TEAC VRDS 1 Transport
And I’ll be keeping my new TEAC 501HR as a backup, possible in a new setup (my upcoming old school Tannoy setup project)

Jesper

[Lawrence001]

There's the problem of confusing a difference in presentation with a difference in quality, they aren't the same thing. Better quality to me means giving greater insight into the recording. Wheras presentation is just a subjective preference. In general I prefer Sony to Marantz, presentation wise, and plenty of people prefer Marantz. But to say one is 'better' than the other is just down to personal taste.


AS you live in Denmark you should have easy access to the German market and they have all sorts of weird and wonderful kit available second hand. However I still think you'll struggle to find a transport that is demonstrably better than your Teac in quality terms.Me too the only marantz I've heard and liked was the CD94mk2 (oh apart from that 14 bit one I had a while ago which was different to any other one I'd heard). Whereas I've had a few Sony's I've liked, none of them that high end.

Sent from my BLN-L21 using Tapatalk

[Macca]

Me too the only marantz I've heard and liked was the CD94mk2 (oh apart from that 14 bit one I had a while ago which was different to any other one I'd heard). Whereas I've had a few Sony's I've liked, none of them that high end.

Sent from my BLN-L21 using Tapatalk

That's the one I got off you? I know what you mean but I did find after extended listening that it did sound a bit 'Marantzy' although nothing like as much as the 67SE I also have. I've never had a go on 94 mk2.

[Spectral Morn]

Hi Niel

I contacted one of the local hifi gurus, a guy I know well and he knows me & my taste, he said that the AudioMecca was indeed a fine player, but it wasn’t for me, as it is a “package” that sounds good “as is” so using it just as a CD-Transport would be missing the point

My point comparing it to the PS Audio, was more to show/tell the difference between the two approaches to “the same problem”
In fact what attracted me too the AudioMecca 2x was the fact it was built by a record player designer, combined with a laser designer, looking at CD mechanisms that way makes a lot of sense to me
+ I use to have turntables, so setting one up wasn’t totally out of my league

What then turned me around again was the PS Audio approach, maybe an all new media(LP vs CD) needed a new approach
That and the fact that people, also around me, is getting great sound from download’s & ripped CD’s +other formats, from what is essentially “computers” ore servers

A “place” I think we all end up in a near future

I for one enjoy streaming, all though my listening behavior is different from say CD, I tend to jump/skip more during streaming listening, also why I wanted a good CD Transport

But it’s hard to beat the flexibility, shear volume of music content, all at your finger tips

Just my 2 cents

Jesper

Well done on the PS Audio PW transport :D

The Audiomecca came in two versions, transport only and with built in DAC, both are good. I thought it was the transport only you were asking about.

[Nordlys]

Hi all

I arrived today :)

Waited 2 hours to let it acclimatize, it’s playing as I wright....let me just say WOOOW

Who new CD’s could sound like this!? It’s literally mind blowing
And remember I’m not even using it with there DAC, I’m only using it via coax via my benchmark dac2 HGC, so I’m not even using it to its full potential

It’s soooo different from everything I have had the pleasure of trying, forget the TEAC, it’s not even on the same planet

Mann I’m glad my friend just intervened & brought this Transport, otherwise I would most likely have spent an awful lot of time confusing myself reading all sorts of stuff, ending up more indecisive Thant I started up

[Macca]

Good news.

The only way, ultimately is just to take a punt and find out. Guess I was wrong about the TEAC then.

[Nordlys]

Hi Martin

Your not wrong regarding the TEAC, it is a great little CD player & transport; nice sounding, articulate, I’d say a little to the warm side, great value - again I have to mention that I never heard it buy it self only via my Benchmark DAC

This Transport is approximately 6 times as expensive, it can’t even make a sound without a external DAC
is it 6 times as good...hard to tell, but it’s certainly something

Today I have spent approximately 5-6 hours on/off listening to my “new baby”, it’s once again literally like getting a new CD collection, I’m impressed
Didn’t think it would have such a massive impact, don’t get me wrong of curse I hoped it would blow me away
But until you try it at home on your own gear, let’s face it, we/you just don’t know

I’ll report back when I’m over my “honeymoon”, when I might be listening more critically - Now I’m just going to enjoy my all new CD collection :)

I’m no good at describing sound, but this new addition makes my system sound even more “live”, and it was pretty “live” before, almost to the point of “too much”, it’s sooo clean and effortless that I catch myself playing really loud, louder than I normally do, and trust me I’m not shy ;)

[Nordlys]

Back again with jet another update on my experience with the new spinner

Sound is so hard to describe, here me trying to explain the impact this Transport has had on my setup

I have a POWERFUL setup (2x 600 real W), headroom for miles & fairly large speakers, certainly for the room 100 L (ATC SCM100 classic) all this power is not only to curse the fatigue of my neighbors, We live on the 3 floor in a apartment, so the living room isn’t big

I ended up with the monster AMP as it is my experience that ATC speakers like/need BIG W to really shine, especially at low volume
They can’t play any louder it’s the way they get there that makes all the difference, full control of the whole soundstage right from start/low volumen

The newly added PS Audio Transport, it’s so different from previously CD “spinners” that my setup now sounds more like an active system, that’s the best description I can come up with and the fact that my speakers now truly disappear compared to before

A more direct sound, it couples to the room differently, bass on my bass test CD “Trentemøller: Moan” fills the room, it’s not directional, just soo much bigger “in preserved size”, if that makes any sense

Same goes for the rest of the soundstage...the precision of the placement of instruments is even better, heck I’ve heard micro details on tracks I know super well, and that’s something as ATC & Benchmark are renown for there brutal honesty

My “honeymoon” is going great as you can hear :)
I suspect my neighbors might not have the same appreciation of my new gadget..he he

I’ll try to refrain from more over the top excited reviews

Jesper

[Nordlys]

Hi fellow Art of sound guys and girls

The “honeymoon” is now over, as I have spent a lot more time listening seriously to my “new baby” and a good assortment of other highly regarded cd spinners

And I have established it’s “signature sound”, my PS Audio transport & Benchmark dac2 combo
My “new” description of this combo is that it sounds a lot like giant earphones, if that makes any sense

I still love it’s overall sound, but not all is perfect, I know I’m nitpicking, but at that price you expect perfection(at least I do)
Here is what I love:
Giant soundstage, with & depth - instrumental placement - live/activ speaker sound - it’s involving - easy flowing

So what’s “off”, well it’s not much...but it lacks “nerve”, might not translate well(a Danish expression), but it’s micro detail’s like a slightly less warm woody sound of a cello ore a toned down “twak” on a cymbal (not quite enough attack)....
This might be down to my listening room, ore the fact that this transport reveals the entire soundstage sooo different than all other CD players/ transports
To my ears some of the other combos had that last attack & warmth, (buy combos I mean different “transports” & my Benchmark dac2) but they in return all lacked the enormous soundstage and overall effortless presentation, so we’re talking super small stuff, but not without some influence of the hifi nirvana
It might be that you only get all details if you buy PS Audio’s DAC’s, that coax is not as good as balanced digital out ore that the up amp in my benchmark dac2 is not good enough (I doubt that), as suggested buy a fellow gear head

Regardless! I’m still happy with my Transport and Benchmark combo

But like all other boys, I’ll continue playing with different cables, DAC’s, tweaks and other parts of this fun hobby of ours

Thanks for all your great inputs and ideas

[Gazjam]

Try it with the Directstream dac over i2s...

[Nordlys]

Hi Gazjam

I am of course super interested in your experience regarding PS Audio’s DAC & Transport combo’s

What I meant regarding the sound difference, is that although my PS Audio Transport is superior in all other aspects, my two TEAC Transports has just a little more “nerve” on the same DAC
That said, it might be down to the way they focus vs the PS Audio’s greater Sound stage and overall presentation, it’s also the ONLY little “hiccup” that I have come across

I have to admit that I’m a little skeptical regarding PS Audio creating a Transport that sounds worse that it’s competition unless its connect to there DAC...”might not be a first” high end hifi is a funny business, some times

Hope you can enlighten me, as high end dealers are few and far apart, here in Denmark + non of my friends have any real experience with PS Audio
Thanks for your time up front

Kind regards

Jesper Rosendahl

[Djdonald]

I can also recommend bel canto gear having previously owned some monoblocks which sounded great and having heard a couple of their cd players in the past. Good luck with the ps audio but if it doesn't work out I can recommend the Cyrus cd xt signature which was a real eye opener when I first heard it. I think it is really good value for money in that it's not silly money but can compete with some v expensive gear. It majors on some of the missing bits you mentioned - it is v detailed and has a large soundstage. Good luck!

[JohnG]

I myself have tipped my toes into the waters of a Dedicated CDT with a DAC.
This is a whole new experience for me, and one I have only been working on for little more than a year.
2017, first ever CDP used in the system, which was a cheapo Cambridge AZUR 540C.
2018, AZUR CDP used as a Transport with a Custom Built Valve Regulated Power Supply
with Valve Output Stage DAC, as well as being supplied with a Spare Chip,
what I believe is a very strange looking modified Decoder Chip, that has proven to be a substantial improvement over the standard Decoder Chip supplied in the DAC.
The Decoder Chip was only exchanged in April 2019 to the modified version.
April 2019, PS Audio Perfectwave Transport (PWT), used with Custom Built DAC.
I bought the PWT to remove the effect of a CD Drive Mechanism on the performance of the replay.
My version of the sales blurb, The PWT plays from a memory buffer, and will read the CD until the memory has all the correct information stored for a replay.
I liked the idea the CD Drive Mechanism being excluded from the replay.
During a DAC Tube Rolling, Upgraded Chip Session, was the Debut for the PWT.
A lot to be processed, but it did all start with the DAC as the base model I was familiar with.
First impressions were very inspiring, but I am not accustomed to such a SQ, it was very engaging, not at any time producing the strong uninvolving presence that my AZUR CDP can produce.
The auditions only got better, as the E88CC Valves were rolled in the DAC, working the session through Telefunkens, Mullards, Amperex Bugle Boys and the Grand Finale Telefunken Holy Grails.
What become apparent was that the original supplied valves (but not knocking them) did not have the emotional engagement of some of the other choices, and some of the other choices were so good at their delivery, it was impossible not to be drawn into the experience.
The Holy Grails had this quality, and it stood out beyond the other Valve choices.
With the present Digital Front End the PWT being a very important device in the mix, I can't see myself expanding beyond it, even when it is capabilities are limited to 44/48Khz.
There was five attendees at the E88CC Valve Rolling Bake Off, and I believe all were quite happy to have attended and experienced such a High Quality SQ, and receive a education about how a certain valve type can influence a Soundstage and a SQ.

[JohnG]

I myself have tipped my toes into the waters of a Dedicated CDT with a DAC.
This is a whole new experience for me, and one I have only been working on for little more than a year.
2017, first ever CDP used in the system, which was a cheapo Cambridge AZUR 540C.
2018, AZUR CDP used as a Transport with a Custom Built Valve Regulated Power Supply
with Valve Output Stage, as well as being supplied with a Spare Chip,
what I believe is a very strange looking modified Decoder Chip, that has proven to be a substantial improvement over the standard Decoder Chip supplied in the DAC.
The Decoder Chip was only exchanged in April 2019 to the modified version.
April 2019, PS Audio Perfectwave Transport (PWT), used with Custom Built DAC.
I bought the PWT to remove the effect of a CD Drive Mechanism on the performance of the replay.
My version of the sales blurb, The PWT plays from a memory buffer, and will read the CD until the memory has all the correct information stored for a replay.
I liked the idea the CD Drive Mechanism being excluded from the replay.
During a DAC Tube Rolling, Upgraded Chip Session, was the Debut for the PWT.
A lot to be processed, but it did all start with the DAC as the base model I was familiar with.
First impressions were very inspiring, but I am not accustomed to such a SQ, it was very engaging, not at any time producing the strong uninvolving presence that my CDP can produce.
The auditions only got better, as the ECC82 Valves were rolled in the DAC, working the session through Telefunkens, Mullards, Amperex Bugle Boys and the Grand Finale Telefunken ECC802s Holy Grails.
What become apparent was that the original supplied valves (but not knocking them) did not have the emotional engagement of some of the other choices, and some of the other choices were so good at their delivery, it was impossible not to be drawn into the experience.
The ECC802s had this quality, and it stood out beyond the other choices.
With the present Digital Front End the PWT being a very important device in the mix, I can't see myself expanding beyond it, even when it is capabilities are limited to 44/48Khz.
There was five attendees at the ECC82 Valve Rolling Bake Off, and I believe all were quite happy to have attended and experienced such a High Quality SQ, and receive a education about how a certain valve type can influence a Soundstage and a SQ.

[Nordlys]

Hi JohnG

Super interesting post and setup
I’m not big on “mods”, many mods I tried Over the years ultimately ended up altering the sound so much, that what made me buy the amp/dac/record player etc in the first place, was now gone - plus ending up costing more/ore as much as a new and better product
But I also remember the pride and joy of completing the mods, especially if it made a difference(for good ore worse, sometimes a blurred line)
I ultimately think that ALL men, incl myself, have a little engineer (ore so we think) inside us, that want to come out and play...he he he
On top of all that is the fact that I know absolutely nothing about tubes, I have heard plenty of good tub setup’s, but I just never went that way, it always seemed too much hassle to me, not knowing if a tube was good ore bad, and the most dedicated users had stacks of tubes on hand just in case...Etc
But I’m also convinced that the weakest spot in my current setup is the opamp’s in my Benchmark DAC, not that I really have any complaints!
Had a Weiss DAC1 on loan about a week ago, that set a new standard to my ears, just wow - luckily it’s one of my friends DAC, so when I find a PS Audio DAC to try out, witch is definitely something I want to do, I can make a shoot out between the two
I wish I knew more about tubes, power supply’s and other electronic stuff, but I don’t
With make what you and others whom has the know how and balls to make stuff, soooo much cooler than me
I love when gear is well engineered + look good

Thanks again for some interesting reading and inspiring reading

[Nordlys]

Hi all

I have now brought a benchmark dac3 HGC, and all of my previous “complaints” about missing “nerve” etc has vanished
In fact it open and spacious, dear I say warm and coherent, it focuses quite different than its predecessor: more low end and a smoother transition from my 12” bas to the famous ATC 3” midt dome

[JohnG]

Excellent news.
A update on how you arrived at this decision would be a good addition to your experiences gathered.

I myself have an ambition for the Winter Months to visit a local 'from home'
HiFi Dealership and compare my Perfect Wave CDP with a Jays Audio CDP.

I wish to take my DAC with the early 1960's Seimens & Halske E88CC Tubes in place chosen from the Valve Rolling experience, the specific type chosen are not easy to locate and command a 'Silly Money' asking price.
Seeking the correct ones is a literal Caveat Emptor experience.

I recently learnt from my Phonostage Designer, that if a small Mod is done to the PCB, a
E88CC Tube can be used, so that will leave the tube I am seeking out with a dual purpose
role.

When ? the Phonostage has the Modification, as it has already left a good impression in its present build on the owner of the tubes used in the DAC tube rolling experience,
there is now a request to put the Phon' through the same tube rolling experience when modded.

If the choice of tubes for the DAC leave the same impression when used on the Phon', then the asking prices being seen are looking to have a little more VFM attached to them,
when they can in a dual purpose role.

As the dedicated HiFi Room is now almost functioning once more allowing for the reassembling of the entire system, I think it will be prudent to have the Phon' modded, and carry out the Tube Rolling on my system with both DAC and Phon', this may prove to be a prudent exercise and show one of the more available tubes to be a worthy replacement, eliminating the risky exercise of trying to locate a rare tube in a satisfactory operational condition.