transport and digital cable

lcrim · « **on:** 20 Nov 2003, 09:35 pm »

My new Sony digital receiver seems to produce the most extraordinary image and detail when provided w/ a digital input rather than analog. The other side of the coin is that the treble can be fatiguing, at least using my DVD player as a transport.
I was wondering if anyone has personal experience of a transport and/or digital cable that would help in this area. Price as always, is a consideration. It would seem out of scale to spend a lot more on a source than the price of the receiver ($700.)

BikeWNC · « **Reply #1 on:** 20 Nov 2003, 10:07 pm »

What dvd player and cable are you now using?

lcrim · « **Reply #2 on:** 20 Nov 2003, 11:33 pm »

DVD player: Bravo D1 Which was not purchased for its music playback quality but rather for its video reproduction via DVI cabler and then when I got the Sony receiver I tried a CD in it and all this detail, image and bass came out but it is very user unfriendly. Poor remote, cuts off the first few seconds of a cut when advancing from song to song, tray shuts of its own accord when changing discs but it trades that off with great video quality and when playing DVD movies all the aforementioned don't matter.
The digital cable is a Synergistics Research Digital Corridor #2.
I just feel that there must be a cheap transport or DVD player plus maybe even a digital cable that would help tame some of the digital nasties at their source. It sounds so much more detailed than my modded Sony 775 SACD player that I ought to pursue this straight digital path.

bubba966 · « **Reply #3 on:** 20 Nov 2003, 11:49 pm »

I've had pretty good luck with Pioneer's DVDP's when used as transports.

The Sony DVP-7000 & DVP-7700 are supposed to be really good transports as well.

For digitals I've had great results with the different cables I've got from Bolder Cables. I've had both the regular cable w/Silver Eichmann Bullet connectors and Cryo treatment. And I've also got a Cryo'd Napalm Ultra digital from Bolder (Silver Bullets, 2 Bybee purifiers, full ERS wrap).

lcrim · « **Reply #4 on:** 21 Nov 2003, 12:02 am »

bubba:
I've checked ebay pretty regularly for the Sony 7000 but the recent offerings mostly lack a remote and I need at least 6 remotes on the coffee table at all times. Seriously, I have never heard these used as a transport nor the Pioneer, but Modwright I know has a series of mods based on these. I was wondering which way to go. DVDP or a decent used transport like the now defunct Cal Delta.

BikeWNC · « **Reply #5 on:** 21 Nov 2003, 01:14 am »

I have a Modwright level 2 w/bybees Pioneer dvd that I use for a transport. I think that it is very good though to be honest, I haven't had the opportunity to campare it to other transports. I have used Cardas Lightning, Bolder regular and silver bullet, and Stereovox HDXV digital cables. Each has its own sound and it is a matter of synergy as to which is better in any system. I prefered the Cardas in my HT system (though now I'm using a Wireworld Supernova III glass toslink), the Bolder when I used a SS amp and the Stereovox with tubes. All are very good cables.

Andy

bubba966 · « **Reply #6 on:** 21 Nov 2003, 02:26 am »

From what I read the only time someone needs a dedicated transport over a DVDP is for DAC's that lose lock when the signal stops. DVDP's usually won't output anything at all when the tray is open, which will cause certain DAC's (like the Art Di/o) to lose signal lock when changing discs.

But your receiver should have no problems like that. So you should be fine with either a dedicated transport or DVDP. It might be better to get a Sony and have Empirical mod it, or a Pioneer & have Modwright mod it rather than get a dedicated transport.

You might look into a Pioneer Elite DV-09. It's a very solidly built (and damn heavy

) player & pretty damn good transport. They seem to go for about $350 lately. The only 2 (stock) DVDP's used as transports I've experienced that were significantly better than the 09 are the Proceed PMDT, and the Pioneer DV-AX10. But both the PMDT & AX10 are significantly more $ than what you're looking to spend.

lcrim · « **Reply #7 on:** 21 Nov 2003, 04:15 am »

bubba:
thanks for the rec on the DV-09, was unaware of their quality.

bubba966 · « **Reply #8 on:** 21 Nov 2003, 08:56 am »

I've owned/still own/or have used many a Pioneer DVDP.

Out of this list DV-AX10, DV-09, DV-333, DV-343, DVL-700, DVL-909, DVL-919, DVL-91, DV-440, DV-38A, DV-47Ai, DV-S755Ai the DV-09 is the second best player, with the AX10 being the better player.

While I've not had the pleasure of every deck Pioneer has made, my experience has covered almost every top line model, and a few of the entry level units.

I would reccommend the 09 as the best quality Pioneer in your price range, and you don't need to spend a ton to get one. It's surprising that they only sell for about $350 nowadays. You can't find another player built like that for anywhere near that price. But shipping will be a bit as they're just over 40 pounds (w/out packaging...). Still you ought to get one to your door for about $400. Which'd leave you enough $ for a killer digital, like a Bolder Cables Napalm Digital.

Oh, stay away from the DV-38A. That's the worst player Pioneer has built that I've ever seen. I feel more than lucky that I was able to get rid of mine for more than I paid for it. I hated that thing from the moment I turned it on. It was a decent transport, but a horrid DVDP. Can't believe they still go for $750 or so. What a turd.

bubba966 · « **Reply #9 on:** 21 Nov 2003, 06:27 pm »

Well, if you decide on a dedicated transport, the Pioneer Elite PD-65 is supposed to be great. And Emipirical is modding them. And I just noticed this http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=6160&highlight=

Sounds like a hell of a deal. I don't follow the prices of PD-65's that well, but I seem to recall them going for a little bit more than $300.