The Wright thing to do

Carlman · « **on:** 21 May 2003, 01:18 pm »

I have recently decided based on somewhat limited information to change CD transports. So, I'm 'trolling' for some positive affirmation.

I'm currently using an Arcam Alpha 8. I'm going to sell this to fund a new Pioneer DV-656. Then, I'll send the Pioneer to Dan Wright for the transport modificiations he does.

Has anyone done this and can describe the improvements/changes they noticed? Dan sounded completely confident that the new modified transport would sound better than the Arcam when I spoke to him. I just wanted to see if anyone had any experience with it here.

Thanks,
Carl

MaxCast · « **Reply #1 on:** 21 May 2003, 01:29 pm »

I can't answer your question, but his mods all seem to be positive. If you can swing the cash flow get the Pioneer modded before you sell your Arcam so you can let us know

Carlman · « **Reply #2 on:** 21 May 2003, 03:35 pm »

Quote from: MaxCast

If you can swing the cash flow get the Pioneer modded before you sell your Arcam so you can let us know

My wife is already irritated that I'm changing a major component yet again... and it will probably not be a change she can hear or appreciate. So, the deal is to make money from used stuff before buying new.

So, no comparsion to the Arcam... However, I do have an unmodified Pioneer DV-444 that sounds almost as good as the Arcam that I can use for comparsion. I compared them recently and will be using the 444 as my transport in the interim.

Rocket · « **Reply #3 on:** 22 May 2003, 01:57 am »

hi carlman,

i have had positive experiences with modding cdp's. i have a bog standard pioneer pds-507 and had a g&d clock installed and damping modifications. it greatly improved the performance, making the cdp sound more analogue.

i bought a perpetual technologies p3a dac and it was slightly better than the modded cdp. the dac did cost quite a bit more tho in comparison to the modification.

dan has an excellent reputation, have you considered his ram cd25 tube cdp thru response audio. looks very promising.

regards

rod

btw i ordered the nirvana upgrade for the aksa.

Carlman · « **Reply #4 on:** 22 May 2003, 02:40 am »

Sounds like you're really rockin, Rocket. It'll be interesting to hear what the Nirvana does for you. My guess is that it will be a notch higher in refinement.

I just had my DAC modified and I'm very happy with it. I couldn't stand listening to my CD player without it... that was before the mods. Now that it's back and burned-in, I love it. So, I won't have any new DAC's any time soon. I've listed my Arcam player for sale here and am also trying to sell it a few other ways.

As soon as I get the money for the old player, a new DV-656 will be sent to Dan for level 1 mods and the Bybee filters. Dan has been great to work with so far. He has positive reviews everywhere I look and warrants his work. So, I feel good about what I'm doing now.

Thanks,
-Carl

JohnE · « **Reply #5 on:** 22 May 2003, 06:53 am »

Taken from the Benchmark Media DAC1 website:
"Many DACs derive their system clock directly from the AES receiver making them very susceptible to jitter. These DACs can rarely achieve their rated performance in real world applications. By contrast, the DAC1 takes full advantage of jitter free UltraLock™ technology. On the test bench, or at the end of 1000’ of cable, the DAC1’s performance is the same! Frankly, we don't think you should have to be a transmission line expert, to be a great audio engineer."

Does this mean that a poorly designed DAC is susceptible to the type of cable/transport used and therefore jitter/clock errors in the transport?[/b]

Carlman · « **Reply #6 on:** 22 May 2003, 02:15 pm »

I have experimented with 3 transports and 2 types of cables since I've owned the Museatex. I've also had the Museatex modified to be a 'Data 2 by John Wright"
Here's the results:
(pre modification)
Arcam Delta 70 vs. Arcam Alpha 8:
The 70 sounded veiled, less dynamic, but equally smooth and somehow just as tonally accurate... the Alpha was livelier.

(post modification)
Arcam Alpha 8 (with coax) vs. Pioneer DV-444 (with Toslink):
Not much difference, the Pioneer seemed a little more delicate, a tiny bit less harsh in the midrange and maybe a tiny bit smoother. There was a sound quality difference but, it was a flavor difference not a bad/good difference.

(post modification) (last night)
Pioneer DV-444 using DH Labs Toslink cable vs. Illuminati DV-30 coax cable:
The coax cable sounded more accurate tonally, especially midrange. Things sounded more real/true with the coax. Imaging was identical.

So, maybe "Ultralock" which is probably the same as "C-lock" that the Mueseatex uses takes care of jitter but, there is definitely a difference in cables and transports that attach to this DAC. I think all DAC's have some kind of jitter reduction technology....

Hantra · « **Reply #7 on:** 22 May 2003, 03:42 pm »

Carl:

I have tried a few transports in my day, and I have found the Sony DVP-7700S to beat all of them hands down. I had a Richard Kern modded SACD 333ES, and it had the SuperClock mod, and $1000 worth of other mods. I found my Sony kicked it to the curb as well. But I suppose it all depends on your DAC.

The upgraded clocks can really benefit certain upsampling DAC's, but don't really do anything for filterless, non-oversampling DAC's b/c of their extremely high jitter window.

I'm thinking about buying another 7700 just as a backup to have in reserve. I've never heard anything like it. .

B

Marbles · « **Reply #8 on:** 22 May 2003, 03:49 pm »

Hantra,

If you think it is good now, send it to Steve at Empirical Audio and for $300 it will be taken to a whole nother level.....

Ron D · « **Reply #9 on:** 22 May 2003, 04:24 pm »

Can I assume that my DVP-S7000 (predecessor and reported to be better than its replacement) would be a good candidate for mods? I'm pretty sure that that the only significant differences are the location of the transport and the addition of DTS vis-a-vis the 7700...

BTW, running it with the CIaudiuo DAC is killer

Marbles · « **Reply #10 on:** 22 May 2003, 04:37 pm »

Ron, I would think it would be a good candidate, but best thing is to talk to Steve at Empirical.

Carlman · « **Reply #11 on:** 22 May 2003, 05:57 pm »

Quote from: Hantra

Carl:

I have tried a few transports in my day, and I have found the Sony DVP-7700S to beat all of them hands down. I had a Richard Kern modded SACD 333ES, and it had the SuperClock mod, and $1000 worth of other mods. I found my Sony kicked it to the curb as well. But I suppose it all depends on your DAC.

I appreciate the suggestion. However, I've seen the 7700's $400 used so, I can imagine they're fairly pricey new. Besides, I'm shooting for best for cheap at the moment. I can get the Pioneer new for $120, plus $300 in mods... so, I'll end up with a transport nicer than my old CD player for $420 new vs. $300 used. And, without the mods, the DVD player is as good as the Arcam.... so, if it really does get a degree or 2 better, I feel I'm better off.

Sinking a thousand isn't an option at the moment, otherwise the 7700 would definitely be it.

-Carl

Hantra · « **Reply #12 on:** 22 May 2003, 06:20 pm »

Yikes! I wouldn't pay more than $250 for a 7700. You can't find new ones anymore AFAIK. But I forgot you needed a DVD player. The 7700 sucks as a DVD player. hehe

B

Tweak1 · « **Reply #13 on:** 29 May 2003, 10:52 am »

Do a search for "Missing Link" article posted here, or go to BVaudio website and read about the Sound Refiner- SR 10. Works magic in my $20K system with a stock Sony 9000es- also significantly improves the audio of my Proton TV!

Carlman · « **Reply #14 on:** 29 May 2003, 05:03 pm »

Quote from: Tweak1

Do a search for "Missing Link" article posted here, or go to BVaudio website and read about the Sound Refiner- SR 10. Works magic in my $20K system with a stock Sony 9000es- also significantly improves the audio of my Proton TV!

Unfortunately, I don't have a $20,k system so, I doubt I could hear the 'magic' you refer to. I don't watch TV so, I don't care about that either... Does this have anything to do with Dan Wright's modifications?

Maybe I'm missing the link?

-C

Tweak1 · « **Reply #15 on:** 29 May 2003, 06:06 pm »

Funny stuff! Go to BVaudio and read about it. It closes the gap between decent and expensive stuff.

audioengr · « **Reply #16 on:** 2 Jun 2003, 01:40 am »

John E wrote:

Quote

On the test bench, or at the end of 1000’ of cable, the DAC1’s performance is the same! Frankly, we don't think you should have to be a transmission line expert, to be a great audio engineer

I think they are not seeing the whole picture. The SP/DIF spec insures that cables add jitter and the longer they are, the more jitter gets added. Don't believe this rubbish. Cable dispersion adds jitter, period.

audioengr · « **Reply #17 on:** 2 Jun 2003, 01:44 am »

Carlman - you should be able to pick-up a 7700 for $300-$350 and then the mods are $300 for digital alone, $500 for power supply and digital. This should keep you under $1K.

eico1 · « **Reply #18 on:** 2 Jun 2003, 02:48 am »

AE, I think you are missing the point maybe. If Benchmark can design their input receiver to to attenuate incoming jitter to below the intrinsic jitter of their d/a reference circuit, what they say is true. I think their reputation says enough that the dac1 is worth a listen fro that price.

steve

Carlman · « **Reply #19 on:** 2 Jun 2003, 03:41 pm »

In all honesty, I have to agree with AE on this. Additionally, I don't care how good a digital receiving device is, more cable means diminishing voltage... and less ability to get the bit-rate correct. Luckily, I only need a meter so, that's not a real factor for me with any digital device. I realize the analogy is just to make a point but, it's too abstract to make me a believer in 'Benchmark's DAC1'... which I've never heard of.

I should get the new player via UPS today and be sending it to Dan soon.

Looking forward to getting the transport transformed.