[Afterimage]

straight.  Some of you guys are using an IMod for your main source in your main two channel systems?  I mean really?  So can an IMod really sound better than good dedicated cd players or transport/DAC combos?  I have 5 cd players,  a Cary 303/200, Musical Fidelity A5, Bel Canto CD1, Rega Saturn, and a Naim CDX2 and was curious if any IMod usere had some experience with the players I own and how it compares.  Thanks

[cfcjb]

Given your list of CDPs the short answer is no, the IMOD is not better. It is exceptional bang for the buck but having heard some of your CDPs and owning an IMOD I wouldn't give the nod to the MOD. Again, saying that, it truly bats well out of its league in terms of money out layed VS sonic return . It is excellent for a second or third system, not to mention its raison d'etre, as a portable device. I use my IMOD with a Ray Samuels SR-71 amp, wire is top of the line ALO, headphones are the Grado 325I and Audio Technica ATH W-1000. Software has oscillated between Rockbox/Flac and Itunes/ALAC. I've done a lot of A/Bing and to my ears the Rockbox/Flac combo is slightly superior, YMMV.
Hope this helps.

Regards,

J.

[Afterimage]

Thanks for the Reply.  I thought it was to good to be true.  However, the IMod  sounds like a heck of an alternative to a portable cd player.   Of the players listed above, I like the Bel Canto CD1 the best.  .

[cfcjb]

In my opinion you've got it right on both counts.
The Bel Canto CDP1 is the pick of the bunch and Vinnie's Imod absolutely rules as a portable device.
Nothing that I have heard comes close to touching it in the portable category. My advice to you would be to pair your CDP collection down to two or three and buy an Imod

Regards,
J.

[ZLS]

   The beauty of RWA designed products is that they are very easy to listen to.  The combination of superior design and battery power combines to allow you to enjoy what is there, rather than miss what is not there.  You just relax into the sound. 

[Afterimage]

In my opinion you've got it right on both counts.
The Bel Canto CDP1 is the pick of the bunch and Vinnie's Imod absolutely rules as a portable device.
Nothing that I have heard comes close to touching it in the portable category. My advice to you would be to pair your CDP collection down to two or three and buy an Imod

Regards,
J.

I have 3 of the players in use.  The Rega Saturn is in a headphone system by my bed, the Naim CDX2 is in a second system in my bedroom, and the Bel Canto is in my main system in the basement.  The Cary is in storage, and the MF A5 has something wrong with it. I take it you have heard the Bel Canto?

[cfcjb]

"I have 3 of the players in use.  The Rega Saturn is in a headphone system by my bed, the Naim CDX2 is in a second system in my bedroom, and the Bel Canto is in my main system in the basement.  The Cary is in storage, and the MF A5 has something wrong with it. I take it you have heard the Bel Canto?"

Yes, I have heard the Bel Canto. It's a lovely CDP.
I currently use the IMOD as my bedside system. Wonderful sound, lots of music on tap, doesn't take up a lot of room.
My main CDP happens to be a GNSC modded Resolution Opus 21, also a rather nice CDP.

[pbrstreetgang]

I agree with the poster that the imod is nice and very listenable but will not outdo any of your specific cd players. At least the Rega, Cary and Mu fi that I have played with personally. It just dosent do that bit of layering and detail retrieval that CD players in that class do. It does sound better than a lot of the budget players and the multi format dvds that some are using. I use mine with a dedicated headphone amp, my stax system or with a T amp and some zigmahornets in a workshop system