Onkyo Digital Media Transport ND-S1 alternative to Wadia 170 iTransport - Page 5

Thanks - I guess that's a good thing from the POV of my credit card.

Hi ztsen,

Yes, I am sure this is the case. They (Onkyo) had to get "Apple Certified" to get the apple authentication chip/firmware. There is no other way to get the digital output from the iPod.

When I receive the ND-S1, I'll open it up and I'm sure I'll see the chip (just like the Wadia)...

Vinnie

I dont think these guys have the Apple-certified chip:

iLink Music Server

The reviewer seems to have mixed feelings, but he liked the sound:

Welcome to www.SoundStageAV.com

For that price, I would prefer to build my system around a netbook and spend money on the best DAC/amp combinations I can string together, but they do claim to be taking the digital stream directly from the iPod. Inevitably, someone will ask for a comparison between this unit and the Wadia/Onkyo transports - even on Head-Fi, that may be a tall order.

estreeter, what makes you think that the ND-S1 doesn't have the apple chip?

er, I didnt say that. I linked to a product which is neither the Onkyo nor the Wadia and said 'I dont think these guys are using the Apple chip', or words to that effect. I firmly believe that the Onkyo IS using the Apple chip : I read an interview with one of the Onkyo product guys and he said they had paid Apple in the belief that others would rapidly follow suit.

I've ordered my ND-S1, how can I tell by opening it up if it has the apple chip?
Any photos, details of the chip?

rosqr63, I probably wouldnt risk voiding my warranty - I am hopeful that Vinnie may have everything you need to see very shortly.

Personally, I am less interested in what the chips look like than impressions of what it sounds like, particularly from someone who has spent so long trying to make iPods sound better from the DAC to the line-out. I suspect that quite a few are eagerly awaiting Vinnie's impressions.

estreeter, you are 100% right, I was curious.
Vine knows best.
Patience is a virtue!

I'm not 100% anything, but I like to leave it to the electronics whizzes whenever I get the urge to crack open a mains-powered device to see what makes it tick ! That said, I dont think he will keep us waiting too long - he seems as excited as anyone here about the new addition to the iPod universe. Its all good.

wadia + onkyo use the ipods USB interface for digital transfer, MSB Ilink uses custom spdif.

I heard the ilink and the wadia and the ilink was significantly better , better imaging and instumental seperation. The DAC was a Esoteric SA-50.

Any idea what the total cost of the ilink/Esoteric rig would have been, astroid ? I havent heard a seriously high-end computer-based rig, but I still have to wonder who would buy the iLink over a more conventional hard-drive based system. Even something like the Naim Uniti, scary pricetag and all, strikes me as a better basis for that kind of money.

The Esoteric is my uncles, his whole system cost him over £15,000 , cabasse speakers and an old Yamaha VFet amp ( his pride and joy ) . Funny thing is he uses bog standard cables!
I believe he got the Ilink discounted when he bought something else.

more power to your uncle - he spent the money where it counted !