Battery Powered Transport

LordCloud · « **on:** 7 Jun 2005, 04:10 am »

Hi vinne,

Just wondering if you could give some info on the battery powered transport. I recently got a Scott Nixon Tube Dac+, and I am really interested in your upcoming transport. Thanks.

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #1 on:** 7 Jun 2005, 09:28 pm »

Quote from: LordCloud

Hi vinne,

Just wondering if you could give some info on the battery powered transport. I recently got a Scott Nixon Tube Dac+, and I am really interested in your upcoming transport. Thanks.

Hi LordCloud,

The all-battery transport is coming along well. I have the prototype here and it sounds fantastic!

I need to finalize an enclosure with Louis (Omega), and we are now looking into converting it into a top-loader

Here are some details (which are NOT set in stone):

--One pair of analog outs (built-in dac is a Burr-Brown), with the voltage output of the Burr-Brown dac taken directly to the output via Auricaps, with silver-mica caps between the outputs and ground. This is a minimalist approach that sounds great, and can drive a 10k load w/o any problem.

--Burr-Brown DAC's Vdd, Vref, etc caps modded with Black Gates

--One 75-ohm BNC digital output jack, with improvements to the digital output circuit

--A custom power supply board (that I will build point-to-point) to take the
12V SLA and linear-regulate the other needed voltages.

--Minimalist design...no display or buttons on the front...everything will be controlled via a remote.

--Simple On/Charge switch operation, just like the Clari-T

--The transport and main PCB will be something similar to the Toshiba 3950.

--Playback time between charges will be at least 6-hours

Louis and I have each been very busy with our own stuff, so we've been stalling on finishing up a production-level unit. We are still hoping to have something ready for this summer! The prototype here sounds incredible with both the analog and digital output! Paired with the battery powered Clari-T or battery powered Teac, the combo has amazing synergy and sounds anything but "digital."

--Cost: I have no idea at this time

I'll post more details as things progress...

Regards,

Paul_Bui · « **Reply #2 on:** 7 Jun 2005, 10:51 pm »

Excellent question, LordCloud. I too have been waiting for this.

Thanks Vinnie for the progress updates. I look forward to hearing the transport completion soon.

JLM · « **Reply #3 on:** 8 Jun 2005, 10:46 am »

Vinnie,

I'm hardly a transport specialist, but my impression is that the Toshiba 3950 is a killer unit for the money. Does this qualify for inclusion in this long awaited, hair shirt, state of the art unit that you've invested so much time into?

Why not start with the audio PC route, perhaps using a laptop networked to a remote server with gads of harddisk space and a separate DAC?

LordCloud · « **Reply #4 on:** 9 Jun 2005, 03:43 pm »

Vinnie,

Thanks for the response. I'm using my old Nakamichi for a transport right now, but I definately want something better. I was just wondering if I should pick something up now, or wait for yours. One additional question; is it possible to get it without the DAC for use strictly as a transport without the additional hardware? Thanks again. And as soon as it's ready, I need to know!

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #5 on:** 9 Jun 2005, 11:45 pm »

Quote from: JLM

Vinnie,

I'm hardly a transport specialist, but my impression is that the Toshiba 3950 is a killer unit for the money. Does this qualify for inclusion in this long awaited, hair shirt, state of the art unit that you've invested so much time into?

Why not start with the audio PC route, perhaps using a laptop networked to a remote server with gads of harddisk space and a separate DAC?

Hi JLM,

The CDP that I'm working on uses a transport and PCB that is similar to the Toshiba 3950, but it isn't the same.

Regarding the PC audio route, my first step into it is the USB Select:
http://www.redwineaudio.com/USB_Select.html

Quote from: LordCloud

I was just wondering if I should pick something up now, or wait for yours. One additional question; is it possible to get it without the DAC for use strictly as a transport without the additional hardware? Thanks again. And as soon as it's ready, I need to know!

Hi LordCloud,

I am hoping that I'll have my cdp ready this summer, but I can't promise this. However, it MUST be done and ready for RMAF

I suppose I could offer it without the internal dac (transport only).

Regards,

albee · « **Reply #6 on:** 13 Jun 2005, 01:42 am »

To paraphrase Chief Brody: "You're going to need a bigger battery."

Vin, we need more that 6 hours playing time--not everybody is using a Clari-T.

LordCloud · « **Reply #7 on:** 22 Jul 2005, 04:08 pm »

Vinnie,

Everything still looking rosy for the transport? It's kiling me that I can't get my hands on one right now.

MttBsh · « **Reply #8 on:** 22 Jul 2005, 06:00 pm »

Like LordCloud I am using a Scott Nixon Tubedac +. Mine is fed from the digital out of a Sony DVP S7700, and in turn feeds straight into the excellent dual mono Clari-T. Thus, I too would love to see a version of the Red Wine battery power transport designed to send the most quiet, jitter free signal to a digital out (no internal DACS required). I know the Tubedac + introduces the dreaded AC to the proceedings, but that DAC is so magical with the Clari-T that I can't seem to part with it.

Matt

WilliamL · « **Reply #9 on:** 22 Jul 2005, 06:28 pm »

This is a "me too!" post. If Vinnie comes out with that battery transport or CD player I will be the first in line to buy!

Cheers,
Bill

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #10 on:** 24 Jul 2005, 01:34 pm »

Quote from: LordCloud

Vinnie,

Everything still looking rosy for the transport? It's kiling me that I can't get my hands on one right now.

Hi Guys,

To be perfectly honest, I haven't been putting in the hours on finalizing the battery transport yet.

It has kind of been on the back burner, as I've been very caught up in quite a few other things.

Here is one of the things that I've been working on: Squeezebox 2 (www.slimdevices.com), which I have modded out and is now running off of all battery power (12V SLA), and is impressing the heck out of me!

I have A LOT to announce about it soon, along with offering mods. This modded SB2 is so good that it is the reason why I put the battery cdp/transport on the back burner for now... (which I still would like to have at the RMAF if possible).

I've been working on other side projects as well, which will be mentioned soon. Along with that, I've been up to my ears in custom Clari-Ts, Clari-T mods, Red Wine Teacs, and recently, a couple more Sharp
EX111 mods (remember the EX111?

).

Needless to say, I also need to make a bunch of webpage updates too

Thanks for all your interest and patience during these new and exciting times to RWA!

MttBsh · « **Reply #11 on:** 24 Jul 2005, 02:16 pm »

Hey, we understand, Vinnie! There's only so much one guy can do. Thanks for the update.

Matt

Brad · « **Reply #12 on:** 25 Jul 2005, 08:43 pm »

Good news on the Squeezebox.
Looks like they have made some solid improvements on the original device.
I will hold off on my Airport Express purchase for a little while.

I like being able to use the Squeezebox as a wireless bridge. I can use that to connect my Xbox to the rest of my network to play on the eeenternet.

Vinnie - are you using the analog or digital outs from the Squeezebox?

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #13 on:** 25 Jul 2005, 08:54 pm »

Quote from: Brad

Vinnie - are you using the analog or digital outs from the Squeezebox?

I'm using the modded analog outputs and am lovin' it!

I'll be posting info soon....

Brad · « **Reply #14 on:** 25 Jul 2005, 09:28 pm »

Modded analog is a great answer...........

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #15 on:** 26 Jul 2005, 12:48 am »

Quote from: Brad

Modded analog is a great answer...........

Hi Brad,

Exactly -- My goal is mod the analog outputs to sound so good that you won't want to use an external dac!

It is certainly getting to that point

Cheers!

zybar · « **Reply #16 on:** 26 Jul 2005, 01:40 am »

Quote from: Vinnie R.

Quote from: Brad
Modded analog is a great answer...........

Hi Brad,

Exactly -- My goal is mod the analog outputs to sound so good that you won't want to use an external dac! It is certainly getting to that point

Cheers!

Let's hope you aren't concentrating too hard on the analog or at least offer a version where you don't touch the analog.

I think many potential customers will WANT to run the SB2 into an external dac.

I know I do...

George

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #17 on:** 26 Jul 2005, 02:09 am »

Quote from: zybar

Quote from: Vinnie R.
Quote from: Brad
Modded analog is a great answer...........

Hi Brad,

Exactly -- My goal is mod the analog outputs to sound so good that you won't want to use an external dac! It is certainly getting to that point

Cheers!

Let's hope you aren't concentrating too hard on the analog or at least offer a version where you don't touch the analog.

I think many potential customers will WANT to run the SB2 into an external dac.

I know I do...

George

Hi George,

Thanks for the feedback. I'll most likely have a package that does not include the analog output mods for less $$$. There will be mods for the digital out too