[kgturner]

I currently own a SB3 connected to a 47 labs Shigaraki DAC. I intended to purchase a Transporter and use it as a transport into another DAC (I was thinking a used EMM DCC2). Anywho, now I'm considering giving the MW Transporter a try. So, all you MW Transporter owners, I would appreciate it if you could tell me what you've compared your MW Transporter to. Thanks much.

Kevin T

[rydenfan]

Using the Transporter as a transport to a DAC would be a complete waste of money IMO.

I compared the Modwright Transporter to a McCormack UDP-1 with the full Deluxe upgrades done to it. I found the MW TP to best it in every aspect.

[ted_b]

To echo Rydenfan, why would you spend the $$ to use 10% of the Transporter (as a simple digital streamer to a DAC)?  The monies you spend on a TP (regardless of whether Modwright mods it) goes to its form factor, its hi-end AKM DAC, it's decent enough power supply and it's decent enough analog stage.  To my understanding the Transporter has no less jitter or better digital out quality than a Squeezebox or Duet (at 5x the price, stock). 

That being said, I've compared my Modwright to a fully modded Modwright Platinum Signature Denon 3910, to a Sony XA777ES, and to an Esoteric PD50.  The combination of Dan's state of the art tube analog stage, and the convenience of streaming from an HD...is a complete overmatch.  Not to mention it's now a killer 24/96 tubed DAC.

[zybar]

To echo Rydenfan, why would you spend the $$ to use 10% of the Transporter (as a simple digital streamer to a DAC)?  The monies you spend on a TP (regardless of whether Modwright mods it) goes to its form factor, its hi-end AKM DAC, it's decent enough power supply and it's decent enough analog stage.  To my understanding the Transporter has no less jitter or better digital out quality than a Squeezebox or Duet (at 5x the price, stock). 

That being said, I've compared my Modwright to a fully modded Modwright Platinum Signature Denon 3910, to a Sony XA777ES, and to an Esoteric PD50.  The combination of Dan's state of the art tube analog stage, and the convenience of streaming from an HD...is a complete overmatch.  Not to mention it's now a killer 24/96 tubed DAC.

What he said...

I should also add that I have compared the Modwright to players by Esoteric and Marantz and preferred the Modwright each time.  FWIW, both the Esoteric and the Marantz cost more than the Modwright.

George

[IronLion]

To echo Rydenfan, why would you spend the $$ to use 10% of the Transporter (as a simple digital streamer to a DAC)?  The monies you spend on a TP (regardless of whether Modwright mods it) goes to its form factor, its hi-end AKM DAC, it's decent enough power supply and it's decent enough analog stage.  To my understanding the Transporter has no less jitter or better digital out quality than a Squeezebox or Duet (at 5x the price, stock). 

That being said, I've compared my Modwright to a fully modded Modwright Platinum Signature Denon 3910, to a Sony XA777ES, and to an Esoteric PD50.  The combination of Dan's state of the art tube analog stage, and the convenience of streaming from an HD...is a complete overmatch.  Not to mention it's now a killer 24/96 tubed DAC.

To add some context to this quote, its coming from someone who, like myself, hasn't even upgraded their MW Transporter to Dan's latest "hyper" status, which is supposed to improve its performance another significant notch. 

[ted_b]

To echo Rydenfan, why would you spend the $$ to use 10% of the Transporter (as a simple digital streamer to a DAC)?  The monies you spend on a TP (regardless of whether Modwright mods it) goes to its form factor, its hi-end AKM DAC, it's decent enough power supply and it's decent enough analog stage.  To my understanding the Transporter has no less jitter or better digital out quality than a Squeezebox or Duet (at 5x the price, stock). 

That being said, I've compared my Modwright to a fully modded Modwright Platinum Signature Denon 3910, to a Sony XA777ES, and to an Esoteric PD50.  The combination of Dan's state of the art tube analog stage, and the convenience of streaming from an HD...is a complete overmatch.  Not to mention it's now a killer 24/96 tubed DAC.

To add some context to this quote, its coming from someone who, like myself, hasn't even upgraded their MW Transporter to Dan's latest "hyper" status, which is supposed to improve its performance another significant notch. 

No, I upgraded...I was the beta test site.    George (zybar) hasn't upgraded, and he concurred with my comments...so in a round about way........ 

[kgturner]

Thanks for the insight. Keep it coming. As it stands, my possible options are:

stock Transporter
stock Transporter w/ ??? DAC
MW Transporter

I wouldn't use a MW Transporter as a transport. As far as the Transporter w/ ??? DAC option, well that's just more vanity than function. I realize an SB3 w/ ??? DAC will give me equal results, I just prefer the "look" of the Transporter over the SB3. A waste of money to be sure, but it's mine to waste.

Kevin T

[ted_b]

Thanks for the insight. Keep it coming. As it stands, my possible options are:

stock Transporter
stock Transporter w/ ??? DAC
MW Transporter

I wouldn't use a MW Transporter as a transport. As far as the Transporter w/ ??? DAC option, well that's just more vanity than function. I realize an SB3 w/ ??? DAC will give me equal results, I just prefer the "look" of the Transporter over the SB3. A waste of money to be sure, but it's mine to waste.

Kevin T

True enough.  We just wanted to make sure you were spending your audiophile monies with your eyes open...and you are.    

What DAC are you contemplating? 

[kgturner]

I was leaning towards a used EMM DCC2. I figured worst case scenario I can buy the EMM used in A'gon and resale it without taking too much of a hit.

Kevin T

[owenmd]

Hi Kevin,

To me, it would be absolutely no competition between a stock Transporter or SB with a good DAC verses a MW Transporter.  I compared transports and DAC's briefly after buying the MW and a new Benchmark DAC1 USB was absolutely blown out the water.... literally no comparison.... the Modwright, used as a DAC is in another league IMHO...!

Mark

[Philistine]

I'm not much help here Kevin as I never reviewed a stand alone TP - I just bought it already modded from Dan.
I did compare it with a Modwright Sony 999ES (tube PS, platinum etc) and the TP was far superior - now with the hyper/turbo mod and decent tubes it's significantly better than it was then.  I also had a modified SB3, this had basic mods and a simple power supply so it wasn't really a fair comparison.

As I've been weaned on the Modwright sound then this bias has to be taken into consideration, but I do believe Dan produces a musical, smooth and detailed sound without being lean.

Other sources:
An Audiogon user (mtdking) has posted on the Audiogon forums about the MW/TP, and compared it with different CDP's.  If you do a user search on Audiogon you can find his posts.
Also a group of guys had a GTG in North Carolina over the weekend and posted feedback on the MW TP and other Dac's over on the Audio Nervosa forum.

[ted_b]

An interesting post by Ken (bigfish) over on Nervosa.  He is speaking about the GTG over the weekend, and about hooking what everyone thought was a great MW Transporter (full hypermods) directly to an amp:

"There is one thing we clearly learned about the ModWright Transporter at this meet.  We tried driving the Manley Snappers direct using the balanced connections and then controlling the volume with the Transporter.  Guys, trust me when I say that an unmodified Squeezebox would sound equally as well direct connected to the amps!  The ModWright Transporter needs a good preamp in the mix with the Transporter volume set to max to enable it to deliver the full range of music it is capable of providing."

It's interesting in that I'm not sure every MW TP owner has had this chance, or this reaction.  I did, and I have.  I think the digital volume control lops off too many bits, especially now that we've had Dan create such a magnificently detailed hi-resolution player.  My (and Ken's) $.02

Rydenfan, let us know what you think (I guess this is probably a thread hijack and worth another thread) when you're without your 36.5 for awhile.

[owenmd]

When I first got my MW Transporter, I connected it directly to a Musician 111 SE and it lacked dynamics, detail and life.... it even sounded a little boring.... even at max volume/max bits!  Not having the funds for a decent preamp at the time, I used a single ended Burson buffer (about $400) which I believe gives about a 6db gain and also impedance matches the components.... this made a huge difference.  So.... if you can't/don't want to afford a decent preamp.... this may get you running reasonably well quite economically?

Mark

[zybar]

An interesting post by Ken (bigfish) over on Nervosa.  He is speaking about the GTG over the weekend, and about hooking what everyone thought was a great MW Transporter (full hypermods) directly to an amp:

"There is one thing we clearly learned about the ModWright Transporter at this meet.  We tried driving the Manley Snappers direct using the balanced connections and then controlling the volume with the Transporter.  Guys, trust me when I say that an unmodified Squeezebox would sound equally as well direct connected to the amps!  The ModWright Transporter needs a good preamp in the mix with the Transporter volume set to max to enable it to deliver the full range of music it is capable of providing."

It's interesting in that I'm not sure every MW TP owner has had this chance, or this reaction.  I did, and I have.  I think the digital volume control lops off too many bits, especially now that we've had Dan create such a magnificently detailed hi-resolution player.  My (and Ken's) $.02

Rydenfan, let us know what you think (I guess this is probably a thread hijack and worth another thread) when you're without your 36.5 for awhile.

Ted,

I know you were asking for David's comments, but I figured it was ok to chime in.   

I have been running the Modwright without a preamp with Vandy 5A's for the past few weeks.  I have the rca outs of the Modwright going into the single-ended Vandersteen hi-pass filters, which connect to the rca input on my Atma-Sphere MA-1 amps via VH Audio Spectrum ic's.

As luck would have it, I was able to borrow a Plinius M8 preamp from a dealer friend (thank you very much) on Saturday to try in my system.  While I thought there would be a level of improvement by inserting a preamp, I wasn't ready for the very noticeable level of improvement I am hearing.

Now, I want to qualify that statement with a couple of facts:

1.  The Modwright TP doesn't have enough voltage output to drive the Atma-Sphere MA-1's to close to full power (Modwright outputs 2 volts via rca's and Atma-Sphere requires 3 volts).

2.  I definitely need more gain in my system.

3.  With the Plinius M8 in my system, I am now back to using the XLR outputs of the Modwright with a pair of AQ Panther ic's (but still using single ended out of the M8).

4.  Due to my gain and output challenges, most of my listening with the Modwright (no preamp) is done in the -5.0db to -20db range.

So what changed or improved?

Pretty much everything improved!   aa

While I expected dynamics, weight, and size to improve, I was genuinely surprised by the level of improvement in the areas of detail and texture.  I figured that not running through a preamp and extra set of ic's would produce better details, blacker background, etc...Well with the Plinius M8 in place, I am clearly finding that not to be the case. 

All of the above is just my initial reaction based on a few hours worth of listening.  Let's see what happens as I listen over the course of this week.  I also wish that I had another preamp in to provide some type of comparison.  Right now, I have no idea if the Plinius is really that good, or if adding any decent preamp is the way to go.  I might be lucky enough to convince a friend to bring over his ARC Ref III preamp this weekend, in which case I will certainly be able to figure out the answer to that question.

Stay tuned...

George

[rydenfan]

Rydenfan, let us know what you think (I guess this is probably a thread hijack and worth another thread) when you're without your 36.5 for awhile.

I actually owned Dan's TP before the 36.5 and used to run it directly to my amp. George pretty much summed it all up. I was shocked by the amount of bass weight and depth that was added, as well as an increase in soundstaging in dynamics. I expected not to hear as much as I did as I kind of thought less is more, I was wrong  IMO there is no substitute for a quality line stage.

[ted_b]

George and David...thanks!!
Looks like a set up, i know... ...but I forgot that George (Zybar) had borrowed the Plinius this weekend.  i knew he was struggling w/ the gain issues so I specifically didn't want to ask him about going Comanche here.   

David (Rydenfan), your improvement could clearly be the fact that the pre happened to be the great 36.5, too, so it's going to be even more of a benchmark when George does his A/B/C eval, if possible.  My $.02 says the jump from no pre to pre is bigger than the jump from the M8 to the Ref3, regardless of how good the Ref 3 is (and it is).   I hope you can borrow it, and then can possibly quantify the jumps.   Should be interesting.

My experience is going from none, to passive Bent TAP to Modwright 36.5.  For all sources the 36.5 handily beats the Bent TAP in musicality.  For the MW TP, the jump from direct to Bent was clearly a larger jump than from the Bent to the MW...as good as it is.

[tomm]

People,
What would one expect from a MW modified Transporter to a stock Transporter? More detail, cleaner sound, just different sound due to tubes, besides that different tubes give different sounds?

[rydenfan]

People,
What would one expect from a MW modified Transporter to a stock Transporter? More detail, cleaner sound, just different sound due to tubes, besides that different tubes give different sounds?

My suggestion would be to spend some time reading through the threads here on the Transporter. You will get all of the information you are looking for and then some.

[orientalexpress]

i compared modwright transporter to AVA ultra DAC ,i bought AVA base on alot of great review.Modwright sound alot better in everyway,more base,mid ,the hight thru a cymbal crash ,sound more live.i never look back.i love it.everything is replaceable in my system except the modwright transporter.That how good the transport is.


lapsan

[grenamc]

People,
What would one expect from a MW modified Transporter to a stock Transporter? More detail, cleaner sound, just different sound due to tubes, besides that different tubes give different sounds?

This is actually my first post since recieving my fully modded MW Transporter.  I had the stock unit for about 6 or 7 months and I always liked it.  I was in no rush to upgrade/mod it when Dan announced the new mods.  I got in at the right time and got a lucky deal from Dan on my Ultra Uber Mod.  I went from stock to the fully upgraded TP, so I cannot say for sure what to expect going from Stock to originial Mod (no FET in the PS).  What I can say about the Uber Ultra Hyperdrive Truth Transporter is...  wow.

I personally think that auditory memory is pretty short, so a direct comparison between stock and MW Hyper mods would be nearly impossible.  Having said that, I always thought that the stock version still sounded like a digital unit.  A GREAT digital unit, but digital all the same.  I personally do not find the MW Hyper TP to sound like a digital component at all.  It really has an organic signature that reminds me of analog, but without sacrificing detail.  And the midrange...  if you are a sucker for vocals, you owe yourself a listen to a MW Hyper Transporter.  There is something magical about the midrange that these units send to your amplifier.  On the note of preamp, I have nothing fancy in the way of a preamp, but even my completely lackluster preamp made a noticable improvement over running direct to amp.

As far as comparisons, the only digital unit I have had a lot of time with from an audition standpoint is a Cary CD-303, and I personally think the MW TP mops the floor with the Cary.  The TP was my first audiophile-grade purchase, so I certainly do not have the experience many of the users here do with previously owned units.  That being said, I can ask for nothing more than what the MW TP delivers from a sound standpoint alone.  That and oftentimes I am in an audition (for speakers) and wishing I had brought the TP, my laptop and some FLAC files with me to use rather than the oftentimes more expensive CDP.  Add convienence to those and you have a huge win by my standards.

-Michael