[cwt108]

I recently gave up my HTB system and went for 2-channel system. I am thinking to use DAC to substitute for my existing AVR.
I wonder if anyone has a take on using Modwright Transporter for such a task. Will I run into the program of decoding digitla signal?
The most important is how the sound will improve with transporter DAC and Modwright Tube add-on.

Anyone has expereince of connecting your blue ray or dvd through the transporter (without AVR) ???

I also consider Benchmark DAC1 with USB... however, I much prefer Dan's Tube output.

I currently own Dan's 9100es and very happy with it. The ability to play music from server is not a main concern right now.

As far as the comparison, I suspect that 9100es probably is still better than transporter... anyone has a take on this>>

Will there be an issue about decoding digitial signal???

I am hoping that currently TP owner could ask my question... appreciate.

[rydenfan]

I think this unit is still too new for anybody to have begun using it in that mannor. It seems like it could work but I am not sure how it would handle something like Dolby Digital? You should really contact Dan about that. Obviously, you would be putting more time on the tubes and therefore have to replace them faster. In regards to the Sony 9100, if you read Dan's posts, he finds the new Transporter every bit as good as the 9100.

[ted_b]

The Modwright TP is as good as any of Dan's previous work, likely better.  It outdoes my Modwright 3910, which I assumed would be a tough act.  Some of the improvements also have to do with inherentHD playback benefits, IMO.
Ask Dan

The 24/96 DAC in the TP (now a nice tube DAC) is two-channel PCM only.  It is a glorious sounding DAC.  I send hirez DVD-Audio 2 channel via Oppo's coax (didn't think i could do that due to MLP proprietary issues, but sure enough it allows up to 24/192 sent out digital coax/toslink, not some dumb downmix).  You couldn't send lossy Dolby Digital AC-3 there, and of course TrueHD or DTS HD Master Audio is encoded and unavailable.  Uncompressed PCM is a candidate, but only the front two channels. 

Net/net, this is a stereo DAC.

[rydenfan]

It was a little tough to follow the OP but I believe he is only using a 2 channel system and I guess he is going to watch movies with only 2 speakers?

[cwt108]

Yes, I am planning to use it only with 2 channels... mainly for concert.

I did talk with Dan. He believed that there should not be any issue in sending uncompressed 2CH PCM to transporter (this is what I am planning to use).

My intention is to eliminate my AVR and use Modwright transporter as my receiver and DAC.

ted_b's response gives me some comfort in doing so.

I am hoping to hear someone who actually connected Tranporter with a Blue Ray player.

[kbuzz3]

i believe that DW states on his site or in a previous post to consider the TP as a dac in addition to the cpu functions.....id love to hear one..... i use an oppo as a transport as well.....

[ted_b]

i believe that DW states on his site or in a previous post to consider the TP as a dac in addition to the cpu functions.....id love to hear one..... i use an oppo as a transport as well.....

Yes, sorry I was being unclear.  I do use it as a DAC.  No ifs ands or buts.  The Modwright TP is indeed a 24/96 DAC, as it has digital inputs that use the tube analog stage for output.  However, the OP first asked (since edited) whether Dolby Digital could be sent.  The answer is no.    The DAC has no surround DSP decoding capabilities; it is a stereo PCM-based DAC.  If you send it 2 channel PCM (which is hardly native Dolby Digital) then fine.  Blu Ray or any other source can send cd or downmixed movie PCM....to say you are using it to decode Blu Ray discs (or HD DVD, or SD DVD for that matter) is not really true.   Blu Ray has nothing to do with it.  It accepts up to 24/96 PCM...period.

[cwt108]

In summary, as long as the signal is PCM 24/96, everything will work out just right....

There might be indeed a need of a separate AVR to decode the signal (Dolby Digital or DTS). We could still use Transporter as a Tube DAC afterward.

[ted_b]

In summary, as long as the signal is PCM 24/96, everything will work out just right....

There might be indeed a need of a separate AVR to decode the signal (Dolby Digital or DTS). We could still use Transporter as a Tube DAC afterward.

Yeah, but only if the AVR has a digital out, which is not always typical.  Easier to just set your DVD source's digital out to PCM, let it decode internally, and send out PCM to the tube dac, downmixed to 2 channel.