[dave_c]

Just got the DIP upsampler and plugged it into my stock XR45 via Stereovox HDXV.  Source is an IBM T40 laptop via M-Audio USB Toslink Adapter w/ Glass Optical cable.  Admittedly not "audiophile approved" but I think its a representation of where audio is going these days (No analog Interconnects in the whole chain!).  Speakers are Triangle Titus 202's w/ Zu cable Wax.  Also custom Rutledge Audio 10" sub.

First, the Stock XR45 with the laptop just sucked.  It sounded flat, lifeless and dull on the good days.  My previous system was an NAD C350 with Modwright Channel Islands VDA-1 which sounded waaaaay better than the panny.  At that point I was very suspect of the hype around the Panny and didn't think mods could even help it.

When I inserted the DIP/Upsampler it made a huge difference.  Everything sounded much much much more coherent.  The midrange found the magic that everyone was talking about and the bass was tight and fast.  Even playing MP3's, the DIP/Upsampler made a great improvement especially on Hi rate files.  I think the DIP/Upsampler makes a great compliment to the Panny receivers.

I'm the first to admit that I should probably get a serious transport, but this is my bedroom system and being able to play mp3's is nice.  The M-Audio transit is a pretty interesting device, it converts USB to Toslink.  Although it feels like a cheap component (plastic case), I haven't opened it so I can't comment on the components.

Anyone think you could open one up and connect the SPDIF signal directly into the receiver in the DIP bypassing the TOSLINK transmitter?  That would be a great component for people with existing DAC's that would like to use their computers as sources.  Hopefully you would still be able to use the M-Audio Driver.

Anyway, Steve at Empirical Audio will be modding my Panny and I should have something to report on those mods in the future.  I may even have a transport by then.

dc

[sunshinedawg]

Wow, this is a very cool setup.  I've been looking to do a very similiar thing with my Bolder modded 45.  I was looking for the ideal transport, when I stumbled across the PC as a source idea. I had been looking at an EA modded Sony s7700, but these players are 3 or 4 years old(worried about age and lasers) and the price with mods is a little out of my budget.  

The PC thing just seems so cool.  I have multiple puters around the house and could store a lot of wav files and just access them in my my home theater via laptop.  There are A LOT of sound cards around these days(e-mu 1212m looks good), but I was really looking for something very simple like the M-audio Sonica/Transit.  I have read a lot about using your PC and it seems like the noisy power supply is an issue.  I guess the ideal thing for me would be a card/interface like the Transit/Sonica with an external power supply(battery would be cool).  I think i would like a different flavor though, maybe firewire in and coax out.  There is a really interesting thread over at Head-Fi about making something like this... http://www5.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?p=832406#post832406

It's funny after I read about all this, I was still worried about the sound quality and I found out about the Monarchy.  Does it really clean up the signal that much? Anyway, I picked up a Sonica last week on fleabay and it should be here this week.  Have a feeling I'm going to be inthe market for a Monarchy DIP!

Anyone think you could open one up and connect the SPDIF signal directly into the receiver in the DIP bypassing the TOSLINK transmitter? That would be a great component for people with existing DAC's that would like to use their computers as sources. Hopefully you would still be able to use the M-Audio Driver.

I think this maybe what you are asking for http://www5.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=72086

[dave_c]

Wow, this is a very cool setup.  I've been looking to do a very similiar thing with my Bolder modded 45.  I was looking for the ideal transport, when I stumbled across the PC as a source idea. I had been looking at an EA modded Sony s7700, but these players are 3 or 4 years old(worried about age and lasers) and the price with mods is a little out of my budget.  

Yeah I feel you on the transport.  Although I would really like to get one, I'm beginning to think that in order to get something that's a lot better than the laptop, you gotta spend a lot of money.  Granted the laptop wasn't cheap either, but I already have it.
Thanks for the links.  The first one was pretty interesting.  Affirmed my suspicions that the USB-SPDIF converter isn't exactly built for sonics.  I hope Glassman was serious about building I high quality converter, I would certainly be interested.
The second one wasn't exactly what I was looking for.  My idea was similar to glassmans idea about the USB-SPDIF converter.  But instead of going to a coax out, I just wanted the converter to feed the IC's of the DIP/Upsampler.  Essentially adding a USB interface to the DIP.

I am liking the DIP a lot.  I think if you are going to go from your laptop to the Panny, it makes a lot of sense.  I hear HTPC's based on Desktops with good soundcards might not need the DIP.  But given the poor quality of the USB adapter, I think its totally worth it.

How do you like the Bolder Mods?  Did they make a big difference?

dc

[sunshinedawg]

Ok, you were just looking for usb right into the Monarchy bypassing the transit, i think?  While that sounds really cool, I think if the Transit/Sonica did what we really wanted in the first place there would be no need for the Monarchy.  You might have different thoughts on this as you own the DIP and I have never heard it.  Glassman's project does indeed look very cool, i might have to join another forum now to follow it!

How do you like the Bolder Mods? Did they make a big difference?

Yep, the Bolder mods make a huge difference.  I think almost everyone that has heard the stock 45 is amazed but thinks it lacks that certain magic you were talking about.  With the mods all the brightness of the stock units disappears and what you are left with is pure magic in the midrange along with very powerful , tight bass and great highs.  I original heard the modded 45 with speaker level bybees, but could not afford them when I got the mod done.  You might want to get them as I heard a definite imrovement with them, but keep in mine it was a totally diff setup than mine.

[dave_c]

I'm pretty excited to get my panny modded now!  Hopefully the Empirical Audio mods will compete with the Bolder mods.  I think this will be Steve's first one so I'm a little nervous, but for the most part I'm confident that he'll be able to do some magic.

[sunshinedawg]

Yeah, I think you will be pretty happy with the modded 45.  Please post again if you come up with a better PC config than you have now.  I think i might be happy with the Sonica and the Monarchy,  I was just hoping to find an interface like the Transit/Sonica that would kick ass without having to throw the DIP into the mix.

[dave_c]

I'll definitely post some updates if anything changes.

As far as the DIP, I'm not sure if there's a way to turn off the upsampling and just check the DIP portion.  I'll try testing, when I get back from my business trip.