is it beneficial to have a transport modded?

vpolineni · « **on:** 9 Oct 2003, 04:31 pm »

I understand the reasoning behind having a cd player using analog outs modded, but if i'm using a digital cable from a transport to a dac, will I receive any sonic benefits from having the transport modded? I guess if there was a better laser to read the cd or a better power supply. I'm trying to find a dvd player to use as a good transport. I like the denon dvd-5900 because it has dvi out and next year I'll be buying a tv (after my 2-channel system is complete

). I'll be using a channel islands audio dac once they have a usb input on it. Any comments to my question would be much appreciated. thanks.

Monolith · « **Reply #1 on:** 9 Oct 2003, 04:49 pm »

Quote from: vpolineni

if i'm using a digital cable from a transport to a dac, will I receive any sonic benefits from having the transport modded?

As always, a stable power supply helps with all aspects of a transport. You have motor controls and timing etc. influenced by the power supply. As well as better cabling to carry the RF signal from the laser to the decoder and from the decoder to the SPDIF interface. Upgrading to a 75 ohm BNC on the digital output is also another mod to consider. I've always found that the degree of change is dependent on the unit you are modifying. If you're doing it yourself, it's a good learning experience. If you're asking whether mod A or mod B is worth X dollars, I can't help you there.

vpolineni · « **Reply #2 on:** 9 Oct 2003, 07:06 pm »

thanks for the quick reply monolith. If/when I mod whatever transport I intend to buy (I'm currently using a panasonic dvd player), it will be done professionally and I was just wondering if it's even worth it because I wouldn't be using the player's analog outs. You answered my question though. Does theta digital make good transports? I've seen them used on audiogon for pretty affordable prices. thanks again.

Monolith · « **Reply #3 on:** 9 Oct 2003, 07:31 pm »

I'm not familiar with the Theta units. Possible mods to consider/ask about (this is not a complete list by any means):

Power supply upgrades
Better signal wires (coax)
Better rectifiers
Enhanced chip decoupling
Better/separate voltage regulators
Clock improvements/replacements
Isolation/damping
Better digital connectors
Copper shielding of ICs

Transport mods should give you clearer imaging, better details, and a better sense of timing. This is usually due to lower jitter and stable power being supplied to the chips along with less RF noise. Using coax to transfer the RF signal prevents outside sources from corrupting the signal as well as keeping the RF itself from corrupting other devices in the transport.

In general, most modders do not change out the lasers. If you have a unit with poor tracking, focus etc. then getting the laser adjusted would definitely help.

audioengr · « **Reply #4 on:** 9 Oct 2003, 10:40 pm »

Transport mods can make a world of difference. The majority of transports have very slow signal edges, which contributes to jitter. As was previously stated, better power delivery to the digital parts makes a huge difference in the jitter. Also, most transports are not well-matched to 75 ohms. As a modder of transports, this is one of the things that I fine tune as well as speeding-up the signal edges. Transports can also have very poor pulse transformers, with either poor low or poor high-frequency response. This will also increase jitter. Also, the signal paths on the circuit boards contribute significantly to jitter. I usually wire these paths externally. The fact that lots of signals share the ground-plane in the circuit board and are run side-by-side with the digital S/PDIF signal adds crosstalk, which again increases jitter.

markC · « **Reply #5 on:** 10 Oct 2003, 01:46 am »

Do you feel that replacing existing diodes with faster/ soft recovery ones is a worthwhile mod in a cdp? Perhaps hexfred's? These would be in the power supply and was just wondering if switching noise could make it's way into the signal path.

audioengr · « **Reply #6 on:** 10 Oct 2003, 04:33 pm »

I always replace Rectifiers with soft-recovery types.

Psychicanimal · « **Reply #7 on:** 10 Oct 2003, 07:07 pm »

I have found that anything done to a transport is extremely influential of what happens downstream. Last night I was at Lak's and I had taken w/ me my Channel Islands pre-amp along with a Bob Regal foot. I placed on top, behind the transport's drawer (top loader) and the bass increased and became tighter. Lak uses a Sistrum rack, advertised to be a vibration drain...

Power cords influence performance as well as power filtration. I plan to send my belt driven transport to Dan Wright in the future for modding. If I were you I'd save my money for a belt driven transport and then worry about modifying. Belt drive makes all the difference in musicality.

doug s. · « **Reply #8 on:** 10 Oct 2003, 07:12 pm »

Quote from: Psychicanimal

If I were you I'd save my money for a belt driven transport and then worry about modifying. Belt drive makes all the difference in musicality.

yust like w/winyl, eh francisco?

doug s.

Psychicanimal · « **Reply #9 on:** 10 Oct 2003, 07:18 pm »

Quote from: doug s.

yust like w/winyl, eh francisco?
doug s.

In some respects it is much better than vinyl, for sure. Ewe know ho to hunt for bargains so keep your eyes open for one...