What is the best and least costly universal transport/player

[elrod-tom]

I'm giving some consideration to a new modification available from MSB. It's called the XPORT, and it's similar to the MSB Network 192K upsampling mods (which I already have). However, it also allows (converts in some way? to PCM?) SACD digital to be processed through the MSB Network through the MSB DAC. Now I've been kicking around getting my current player (Elite DV-47Ai w/ MSB Network mods) modded to improve the SACD performance. Getting my current player re-modded with this new mod is a distinct possibility.

Another possibility is simply to purchase a new universal transport/player and have it outfitted with the new mod. I'm thinking that if I can find the best universal transport mechanism for the lowest cost, that would work out nicely. Remember, I'm going to be using the analog stage from my MSB Gold III DAC, so I don't need a player with a great analog stage.

I have no idea what players have superior universal transport mechanisms, but I'm hoping that there is a version of my DV-47Ai floating around out there that has the same universal transport mechanism, but with a lower overall cost due to the less expensive analog stage. Anyone have any suggestions?

[GoRedwings19]

Do you have a set budget?

[tkam]

The denon 3910 is an excellent universal player should be good for your needs.

[elrod-tom]

To clarify a bit:

I don't need a player with a great analog stage...I'm looking for the least expensive universal transport stage that isn't complete garbage.

This is where this gets difficult to reconcile - to use the example of the 3910, why would one use this player for this purpose over, say, the 2910 (which is less costly, but may or may not have the same universal transport section.

So my budget is not big...as I can already send in my current universal player. I'm just trying to decide if I can make a reasonable purchase for a relative bargain INSTEAD of just sending in my own player.

Thanks...

[GoRedwings19]

Originally Posted by elrod-tom

To clarify a bit:

I don't need a player with a great analog stage...I'm looking for the least expensive universal transport stage that isn't complete garbage.

This is where this gets difficult to reconcile - to use the example of the 3910, why would one use this player for this purpose over, say, the 2910 (which is less costly, but may or may not have the same universal transport section.

So my budget is not big...as I can already send in my current universal player. I'm just trying to decide if I can make a reasonable purchase for a relative bargain INSTEAD of just sending in my own player.

Thanks...

if that's the case why bother with the 2910 and use a 2900 instead. I use to own one a while back and used that as my main source.

[jjcha]

Originally Posted by elrod-tom

To clarify a bit:

I don't need a player with a great analog stage...I'm looking for the least expensive universal transport stage that isn't complete garbage.

This is where this gets difficult to reconcile - to use the example of the 3910, why would one use this player for this purpose over, say, the 2910 (which is less costly, but may or may not have the same universal transport section.

So my budget is not big...as I can already send in my current universal player. I'm just trying to decide if I can make a reasonable purchase for a relative bargain INSTEAD of just sending in my own player.

Thanks...

[EDIT]n/m - I reread your post. Interesting, so this is a mod that allows you to output SACD data digitally?

Best,

-Jason

[Welly Wu]

Elrod-Tom:

I would suggest that you keep your existing Pioneer Elite DV-47Ai because it already comes with a bit-perfect, affordable, and reliable Pioneer drive transport. It also has good quality audio DACs and an analogue stage output. Plus, you don't need to spend more money on getting another universal DVD transport.

Instead of going with MSB for the modifications, I would highly recommend you do some research in the design philosophy and approach each of these highly respected mod shops offer: ModWright LLC (http://www.modwright.com), Sound Odyssey (a Head-Fi sponsor and I am sure they are technically competent to do mods), and Alex Peychev (http://www.aplhifi.com), and AudioMod (http://www.audiomod.com). There are a lot of different options and packages so be sure to do your research before investing.

This will ensure that you get the highest quality possible for the lowest amount of money in the long run. Everything will improve especially Red Book CD if you go with Mr. Dan Wright of ModWright, LLC. When I got my Pioneer Elite DV-59AVi heavily modded by him (see my user profile for specific details), I have got to say that the thing that jumped out and grapsed my attention was the Red Book CD performance. I haven't heard a sub $1000 USD external DAC that can compete with a fully decked out ModWright LLC Pioneer Elite universal DVD player.

I don't mean to be brash, but I have experience with these sorts of things and welcome your questions.

[elrod-tom]

Welly Wu:

It sounds like you're recommending that I also dispose of my MSB Gold Link DAC III (which is the whole reason I'm considering this mod). I'm not going to do that, as I'm VERY pleased with my current MSB Network performance with redbook CD's and DVD-A's (it can output or upsample to 192K). It blows away the analog performance of the DV-47Ai. My goal in this whole exercise is to take my SACD through the excellect analog stage of the Gold Link III.

I'm not sure what I'll do with my MSB Network card that's currently installed...I might have someone hard-wire it into a sound card, and upsample my computer audio to 192K. That would be cool.

At any rate, I've already considered other mods, and decided not to go down that road. If anything, I might get the Gold Link III modded at some point, if I determine that significant improvements could be had.

[clarke68]

Originally Posted by elrod-tom

I'm giving some consideration to a new modification available from MSB. It's called the XPORT, and it's similar to the MSB Network 192K upsampling mods (which I already have). However, it also allows (converts in some way? to PCM?) SACD digital to be processed through the MSB Network through the MSB DAC...

Woah, that is an amazing mod. I'm not sure that's entirely legal, considering what (little) I know about the SACD licensing scheme...I'd jump on that before Sony finds out about it!

Originally Posted by elrod-tom

...I have no idea what players have superior universal transport mechanisms, but I'm hoping that there is a version of my DV-47Ai floating around out there that has the same universal transport mechanism, but with a lower overall cost due to the less expensive analog stage. Anyone have any suggestions?

There's two major factors that contribute to the quality of a transport: its ability to correctly read the data off the CD (this is what the transport mechanism does) and its jitter performance (influenced by the all of the surrounding circuitry).

Getting correct data off a CD is easy, even the cheapest plastic transport mechanisms get that right. If there's a problem, you hear gaps, pops, & pauses in the music. A lower quality transport mechanism may reveal itself with, say, an inability to play CD-Rs or poor performance with discs that are badly scratched.

Good jitter performance is much more difficult because so many factors affect it: the quality of the power supply, proper 75 ohm termination (or not), proper shielding, etc. Of course, the sonic impact of poor jitter performance is pretty subtle.

According to MSB's website, the XPORT is designed to address the jitter problem, so theoretically any player should work the same. They say:

Originally Posted by MSB's website

Pick a player with features you like and send it in. It can be any kind of player, CD and SACD or DVD-AUDIO or a universal. Having the features and access time you like and a comfortable remote are more important considerations than the perceieved audio quality.

However, I think the quality of the power supply would still make a difference.

Anyway, equipment cost is more related to its ability to be mass-produced than the amount of componentry inside. Dedicated transports are a niche item, so are all more expensive than their "one box" cousins. Mega-buck transports (like by Mark Levinson or CEC) use beefy, metal transport mechanisms, but spend far more of their engineering effort dealing with the jitter problem.

All this is a long way of saying that if you like your DV-47Ai, it would be a perfect candidate for these mods.