[Eric]

I ahve been wrestling with the idea of replacing my Arcam FMJ-23T that I am using as a transport. Not many people seem to be reviewing transports, so information is thin.

I am wondering:

1. Would a dedicated transport be an improvement over a CDP?

2. Would a modded unit (like a Sony DVP-S7700 or Pioneer DV47A) be an improvement over both (Is it worth spending over 1000 on mods for an older machine)?

What are your thoughts / experiences regarding this?

[zybar]

I ahve been wrestling with the idea of replacing my Arcam FMJ-23T that I am using as a transport. Not many people seem to be reviewing transports, so information is thin.

I am wondering:

1. Would a dedicated transport be an improvement over a CDP?

2. Would a modded unit (like a Sony DVP-S7700 or Pioneer DV47A) be an improvement over both (Is it worth spending over 1000 on mods for an older machine)?

What are your thoughts / experiences regarding this?

Eric,

I spent time comparing transports over a year and a half ago because I had the same questions as you.


When I did my comparisons, I had access to many highly acclaimed transports as well as stand alone cd players.  Ultimately, I did feel that the improvement I heard by using an Empirical Audio modified Sony S-7700 was enough to not only take the plunge, but to recommend it to others.

There are quite a few of us on AC who have gone this route and are very happy and haven't looked back.

Having owned and heard many of the fine Arcam products, I think that you want try and hear an EA modified box and judge for yourself.  You will most likely be pleasantly suprised with the results.

BTW, if you go this route, you want to use a VH Audio Pulsar with Silver NextGen connectors between your components.  This ic is th ebst I have heard and is very "reasonably" priced.

George

[audioengr]

George - I appreciate the recommendation for the digital IC.  Mine are a bit expensive and I'm always looking for alternatives to recommend.  Chris VH is a good guy and very creative.  I love his V-Caps.  Have not tried a power cord yet, but heard lots of good things about them.

[PhilNYC]

Eric,

I agree with George that without question, the EA S7700 with full mods can be considered among the best options for a transport short of going to an ultra-expensive master clock system (eg. dCS).  Like George, I've had the opportunity to compare it with some pretty well-reknown transports (eg. Levinson 37, Wadia 270, etc)...and for use with a digital coax (RCA or BNC), the EA S7700 is right there.  So from a performance perspective, I think it's a great great value for the performance you get.

That said, unless you go the mod route, I've found that short of a Sony SCD-1, dedicated transports do seem to perform better than stock CDP/DVDP's...probably due to the extra/unneeded electronics/circuitry inside these players causing noise in the digital signal.  There is some level of comfort that you get from having a stock product where a clear customer service path is readily available.  Of the stock dedicated transports I've heard in the $1000 price range, I've been impressed with the 47 Labs Shigariki (sp?) and the Stello....not quite as nice (to my ears) as the EA S7700, but very worthy products nonetheless that I suspect will give you better performance as a transport than your Arcam.

Hope this helps...

Phil

[lonewolfny42]

I would add (yes, another EA 7700 owner)...don't quiet know how many stock 7700's are around ???...its an older model DVD player...but if can find one, worth it to get one and send it off to Steve...it's excellent once modded.

[mcgsxr]

I have followed the market for 7700's for a couple of months now, but have not bought one, since I cannot decide if I will skip it all together, and use a computer, and Slim Devices Squeezebox...

Ahem - used 7700's usually go for between 150-250 on Audiogon, eBay, etc.  There seems to be about 3 per month on eBay.

Good luck,

[MGDeWulf]

Hi Eric:

With the obvious paucity of quality digital transports available, I suggest one find a Camelot Dragon and stay with the transport you are using.  For less money one can use a Monarchy DIP 24/96.  The Monarchy is less effective and sometimes prone to break-down.  The Dragon, on the other hand, is extremely effective and capable of correcting many of the failings found with lesser transports.  Find a used one if possible - mine has ben extremely tough and reliable.  Even if you go with a better transport in the future, the Dragon will serve you well.

marty

[RichardS]

I second the Camelot (I have the Dragon 2 Mk 2). I also have a Modwright Sony 7700 (full mods w/ bybees). The Dragon is a big help with natural detail and ambiance.

FWIW, I like the Sony better than my Micromega transport when not using the Dragon, but with the Dragon I think the Micromega edges it a bit (somewhat smoother and more 3-D).

I've considered either upgrading the Dragon to Mk 3 status, or getting the EA 7700 mods. The Dragon upgrade is cheaper, but with the EA Sony mods (with clock) I'm likely to get as good a result as with the Dragon, and selling the Dragon and a digital cable should make up the difference.

Decisions, decisions.

That said, I surmise it's unlikely I can get a better sound for the money with a more expensive stock transport, but every now and then one comes along at a good price (just missed out on an Ensemble at Audiogon).