[Double Ugly]

I also use shineola on everything I burn.  I've read, and experienced, that a 2nd or 3rd generation "audiohile" copy method (from hard drive to good quality cdr, also shineola'd, and repeated +/-twice using a slow burn plextor or similar) maximizes the sound quality to be extracted from the silver discs.  My question is, in theory, should the 3rd gen/best sounding burned cdr be backed up again on my hard drive to replace the 1st gen files?  Should this 3rd gen cdr produce better sounding files for/from my HD?  Or are the 0's & 1's sound quality equal on the hard drive when played by through my TP?

Thx,
KM

I guess you can put me in the subjectivist camp, because I believe if one files sounds better to you than another, you should play the better sounding file.  If that means replacing the original, so be it.

I've not compared direct-rip vs. CDs first copied and then ripped to CD, but I've read enough about it to think there must be something to it.  Frankly, I think you should probably give George Louis a call since what you're talking about is in-part the reason he created the RealityCheck™ CD Duplicator.  He's a genuinely nice man, and he's more than willing to take the time to discuss the "whys" and "hows" with anyone. 

If interested, here's his contact info - (619) 401-9876 or toll free (888) 588-9542 best between 8am and 9:00pm Pacific Time and e-mail anytime at GsLouis@GsLouis.com

To bring this a little closer to topic, I've discovered that since receiving my ModWright Transporter, I've had to invert the phase (my Spectron Musician III Signature Edition has a switch for each channel).  I didn't need to do so before, but something has changed.  Things weren't sounding quite right when the Transporter came back, and upon flipping both switches to invert phase, I now hear the kind of presentation I'd come to appreciate prior to sending the TP off to Dan.

Anyone else found this to be true in their system?

[ted_b]

DU, no, I run the TP through Dan's LS 36.5 but generally listen in-phase (LS 36.5 has a remote phase capability) and all is well.  I run, like you, through the RCA outs.

Make sure "polarity inversion" is set to "normal' on the Squeeze Center player settings, under "audio".

[Double Ugly]

Make sure "polarity inversion" is set to "normal' on the Squeeze Center player settings, under "audio".

It is.

Maybe it's the odd presentation of the Daedalus DA-1s.  I like 'em, but they do have a different way about them.  Hopefully the Timepieces will be back next week and I can nail things down.

I realize they'll be different (full 2.1 to 3.0 upgrade), but if there's anything I know in this hobby, it's how the Timepieces sound in and interact with my room.

[rydenfan]

DU, I have not experienced this. I too run the TP through the 36.5 and I have never played with the phase on the 36.5.

I would love to hear some of your listening impressions on the TP thus far.

[Double Ugly]

I would love to hear some of your listening impressions on the TP thus far.

I'll eventually offer some sort of review, but since I've had it less than 2 weeks, and since my primary speakers have been gone for a while, it'd be premature to write anything yet.  The caps are probably (I hope) broken-in, but I haven't even swapped the tubes yet.

What I can say without hesitation or reservation is that I'd do it again.  I realize I'm not yet hearing what I expect to have in the coming weeks, but I've heard enough to know the purchase wasn't a mistake.

As to the phase issue, I'm running direct to the Spectron.  I'm interested in the 36.5 and associated PS, but I need to get a handle on what I have now before making a foray into the world of preamps.

[NickS]

Thanks to all for your kind and insightful responses...

Considering myself somewhat advanced on the paths to computer and audio wisdom, this has become a most interesting journey.  Having finally got Squeezeserver to work after severely monkeying with my firewall settings and uninstalling the heinous McAfee Backup, I feel comfortable saying that this business could prove somewhat daunting for the uninitiated.

As all now appears to be in proper working order, I think that I am underway at last with my boat having left the proverbial dock.  Special thanks to Philistine and Double Ugly for the benefit of their infinite wisdom.  I never thought that I would obtain benefit from monikers of their sort.  Easy CD-DA Extractor is very fast, easy to use, and its defaults seem to organize ripped files in a logical way.

Over the years I've had several tons of equipment rotate through my rack in search of the perfect coupling.  At times I have felt like the butt of the joke that goes:  "How does a Buddhist order a pizza?"

Give up?

"Make me one with everything"

It was not until recently that an unlikely candidate leaped to the head of the pack.  It is a very decent CD player with a modified tube output stage, further modified with upgraded electrolytic circuits and better tubes.  Finally, when my system asked "Can you hear me now?"  my answer, at last, was "Yes!!!".

At about the same time, "she who must be obeyed" began to lament rather vocally over the hideous rack(s) that debauch our media room.  Since she perceives this as our living room, I found it prudent to begin to investigate storage alternatives.  The Transporter appeared in my sights as a candidate.  Previously, Dan had upgraded a DAC for me that provided many hours of intense listening gratification.  When I discovered that he had done similar improvements to the TP, and with tubes, my course was set.

So here I sit, flinging disks into my computer as fast as I can, for lossless transcription, trying to anticipate the next roadbump.

I like the idea of the Squeezebox Controller.  Anyone here use one with there TP yet?  I think that being able to visually convey the album art for "she who must be obeyed" would represent a sense of value and useful purpose for all those funds committed to this new endeavor.

Well, back to the salt mines of perpetual disk flinging.

Sincerest thanks for your kind help and warm greeting...

[Bigfish]

Guys:

I received some great news from Dan today, my ModWright Transporter should ship tomorrow.

I have read through these 29 pages of posts many times but must admit to still being confused as to your favorite tubes in the Transporter.  As I would like to order some tubes would you please clarify for me what you have determined to be your favorite Driver and Rectifier Tubes?  Reading through the posts it would seem favorite driver tubes are the 6CG7 RCA Cleartops or 6H30DRs.  I am totally uncertain about the Rectifier but maybe a Mullard GZ32?

I am moving from a modded S3 to ModWright Transporter and am incredibly excited.  My expectation is that I will have a music source that will bring the most out of my system!

Ken

[rydenfan]

Ken, right now I am using a Mullard GZ32 and the RCA Cleartop 6CG7's. I am very, very happy with this combo. I keep popping in a Tung Sol 5U4GB, but I keep returning to the GZ32. I moved my 6H30 DR's to the 36.5 and love them there.

[JerryH]

ok, so I just downloaded the 24/96 NIN album and the damn thing just works perfect without a fuss or hassle through my Truth TP!

way cool stuff!!!  If all record companies would only realize the butt load they could earn...

PS: track 9 in particular is stunning... typical Reznor excellence...

cheers,

D.

I downloaded both the flac and the wav file, but can't play the wav. Am I missing something? I'm pretty new to the transporter.. and consider me a member of the club now. This is totally great!

Never mind.. got it. Wasn't showing up with a title though the songs were listed. 

[Double Ugly]

Special thanks to Philistine and Double Ugly for the benefit of their infinite wisdom.  I never thought that I would obtain benefit from monikers of their sort.  Easy CD-DA Extractor is very fast, easy to use, and its defaults seem to organize ripped files in a logical way.

You're welcome, Nick, and I appreciate you being the first - and I strongly suspect the last - to use my moniker and "infinite wisdom" in the same sentence.

Seriously, I'm glad Easy CD-DA Extractor is working well for you.  I haven't used it in quite some time due to moving to a Mac OS, but please fire away if you have questions.  I likely won't know the answer, but I have a couple of pretty good sources.

Additionally, I think you'll find the Easy CD-DA Extractor Support Forum is a great resource for Q&A about or problems with your new program.  You'll need to register to read the good stuff, but it's safe, simple and free.

[Philistine]

Guys:

I received some great news from Dan today, my ModWright Transporter should ship tomorrow.

I have read through these 29 pages of posts many times but must admit to still being confused as to your favorite tubes in the Transporter.  As I would like to order some tubes would you please clarify for me what you have determined to be your favorite Driver and Rectifier Tubes?  Reading through the posts it would seem favorite driver tubes are the 6CG7 RCA Cleartops or 6H30DRs.  I am totally uncertain about the Rectifier but maybe a Mullard GZ32?

I am moving from a modded S3 to ModWright Transporter and am incredibly excited.  My expectation is that I will have a music source that will bring the most out of my system!

Ken

I've tried and like:
GZ32 (Mullard)
5U4G
With the 5U4G as the current favorite.
I used to like the 5AS4, but keep going back to the the others.
Next on my list is a 5AR4.

Signal tubes:
I have a pair of 6CG7 RCA Cleartops, but prefer my cryoed RCA 6FQ7's from tube world.
I'm on hold on the 6H30's until Ted compares the new ones against the DR's, I find the new ones to be very 3 dimensional but severely lacking in bass.

[Philistine]

I like the idea of the Squeezebox Controller.  Anyone here use one with there TP yet?  I think that being able to visually convey the album art for "she who must be obeyed" would represent a sense of value and useful purpose for all those funds committed to this new endeavor.

Glad you found the links useful Nick.

I have tried a Nokia N800 as a 'touch screen remote' and it works great but the Nokia got diverted to perform other duties.
A few weeks ago I posted the question on what controller to use: Nokia, Ipod Touch or SlimDevices Controller, Wayne from Bolder (and others) liked the Controller - what I need is a 14 inch touch screen!

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=53310.msg475448#msg475448

[Danny Kaey]

Howdy Ted,

the key lies in the fact that you want to minimize cross converting with too many decoders/encoders...

I firmly believe (based on my research as well as discussions with engineers who led me on to this in first place) that a lot of what you hear when listening to mp3/flac/wave is mandated by the decoder, ie. there is a ton happening there we are only beginning to scratch the surface of...

I've skipped the whole lossless thing and went straight to wave and LAME 320... if interested you can read my article on LAME @ PFO...

cheers,

D.

Danny,
I know your article says you need to rerip to a cdr in wav format to compare, but I don't understand why a similar or even closer compare would be, through a Modwright Transporter (see, not totally a thread hijack.. ) comparing the original wav rip to the Lame 320 conversion, converted back to wav (say AbbeyRoad.wav vs AbbeyRoadLame.wav ).  The controls are the same, same hard drive, same processor, same streaming unit, etc.  Are you willing to accept a compare of this type (assuming the listener doesn't know which one we've picked in Squeeze Center)?  I'm intrigued, especially for those bright early cd rips.  I'm thinking of installing Inguz plug-in just to try tone controls to flavor or tame some bright rock compressed files, but also open to your findings.  I'm worried the Inguz plug-in will add too much noise/distortion to be worth it.  Dunno.

(Dan W, if this is too hijacked, I'll move it to a new topic in the pc forum......since DU crowned me President of the Modwright TP Club  I should be a leader and follow the forum rules...   )

[rydenfan]

I just ordered a pair of the Mazda/Brimar 6CG7's to compare against the RCA Cleartop 6CG7's. I am guessing it will take about a week to get them. I will obviously let you guys know what I think. OK, now I am done buying tubes, I swear 

[ted_b]

My fave rectifiers are identical to Philistine:
Mullard (Sylvania) 5U4G (not B)
Philips GZ32
Mullard 5AR4 (distant third but nice midrange)

Signals:
First tier, in descending order, but all very nice, and order depends on mood     :
Raytheon 6CG7 black plates
Sylvania 1958 6CG7 gray plates (green lettering)
RCA 6CG7 Clear tops
RCA 6CG7 black plates
RCA 6BQ7's
Zenith 6CG7's (I think these are RCA)

Second tier:
Sovtek 6N1P

Didn't like:
Sovtek 6H30's

Waiting on:
Reflektor 6H30-DR's (supposedly wayyy better, and Rydenfan LOVES them in the LS 36.5, so a no-brainer for me)

[Bigfish]

Thanks guys for publishing the results of all of your analysis of listening to various tubes.  When I receive my unit I plan to break it in with the stock tubes (200 to 300 hours) before I try something new.  I however expect to place an order for some of your recommendations today.

Thanks Again,

Ken

[NickS]

For anyone who has been sitting on the fence regarding rolling tubes for their MW TP, Partsconnexion is running "15% off everything" sale until the end of the month.  Their prices on many of the tubes that attract favorable attention around here are pretty decent to begin with.

Looks like I'll be getting new tubes well ahead of the MW TP... 

[Double Ugly]

For anyone who has been sitting on the fence regarding rolling tubes for their MW TP, Partsconnexion is running "15% off everything" sale until the end of the month.  Their prices on many of the tubes that attract favorable attention around here are pretty decent to begin with.

Looks like I'll be getting new tubes well ahead of the MW TP... 

Thanks for the info, Nick.

I also purchased tubes prior to receiving the TP, so you aren't alone.  In fact, I've yet to put them in because I want to complete my system first (speakers still missing) so as to have a stable baseline for comparisons.

[mcullinan]

Double, you must have hit the Lottery! Modwright Transporter, Revelations, Minis... Lucky Bastard!
    aa
Mike

[ted_b]

Double, you must have hit the Lottery! Modwright Transporter, Revelations, Minis... Lucky Bastard!
    aa
Mike

DU,
Revelations?  Minis?  Is there something you're not telling us?  You trying to outdo the Brady Cinema?