Adding a DAC to Transporter

[bunkertoy]

Hi All,

Wondering what your opinions are regarding adding a decent DAC to the stereo chain. So this DAC would be hooked up to the Transporter. Transporter -->Bryston BDA DAC --> Preamp --> Amp.
Is this a worthy added expense /, will I notice my digital files sounding better ?

Thanks for any input you might have.

Cheers

[Apesbrain]

The D/A section in the Transporter is excellent. Only you can say if you like the sound of the Bryston better; arrange a home trial.

[tfec]

Transporter -->Bryston BDA DAC --> Preamp --> Amp.

By the way, you won't need a Transporter, a cheap Raspberry with piCorePlayer will do, cause the Bryston DAC has USB-input.

[tfec]

... , will I notice my digital files sounding better ?

My chain is LMS > moOde audio (Raspberry 4 with Allo Boss 2) > Amp. In moOde audio I have roomcorrection via parametric filters or CamillaDSP. This ist improoving the sound.

[Redrum]

I added a Schitt BiFrost (about $500USD at the time) to a modest system in my cabin that is a touch->arcam 60wpc integrated->Klipsch KG1.5 bookshelves. I ran the analog from the touch to one set of inputs, and digital from the touch to the Schitt via coax, then analog to another input on the amp, thereby being able to A/B real time.

The touch DAC isn't bad but the difference is significant. Best way for me to describe it is the music "came to life". I then compared the schitt to audio through an Oppo BDP-105D on my home system (excellent D/A, in it's time the 105 D/A upgrade was about $600 over the 103.) and I could not tell a significant difference

The advice to audition one if you can is good, and A/B to the transporter.

Jim

[mftech]

I'm using the AES output of the Transporter with the Merging NADAC.
The DAC inside the Transporter is excellent quality, Sean Adams was smart enough to do an excellent implementation with the AKM DAC.
Rpi + Picoreplayer is also an very inexpensive solution.

[cliveb]

I'm using the AES output of the Transporter with the Merging NADAC.
The DAC inside the Transporter is excellent quality, Sean Adams was smart enough to do an excellent implementation with the AKM DAC.

Are you aware that Sean Adams explicitly stated that the AES output is technically inferior to the COAX? (Not that you'll notice any audible difference).
He said that it was just included for completeness sake.

[mftech]

Are you aware that Sean Adams explicitly stated that the AES output is technically inferior to the COAX? (Not that you'll notice any audible difference).
He said that it was just included for completeness sake.

I tried both...the protocol is the same between AES and SPDIF, (the consumer bit is not present on AES) I got both connected I didn't notice a difference on the NADAC.
Not sure if the Transporter use a 110 Ohms isolation transformer for the AES output.
I use a 110 Ohms Belden 1805 cable to connect the Transporter with the NADAC.

[kristina]

I’ve been using a Denafrips Ares II with my Touch, and am very happy with it. I had the chance to compare it to the Schitt Bifrost, and felt the Ares sounded a bit better to me.

[sgmlaw]

Hi All,

Wondering what your opinions are regarding adding a decent DAC to the stereo chain. So this DAC would be hooked up to the Transporter. Transporter -->Bryston BDA DAC --> Preamp --> Amp.
Is this a worthy added expense /, will I notice my digital files sounding better ?

Thanks for any input you might have.

Cheers

Oh boy. This one has been discussed and fought over for more years than I can remember.

FWIW, I run my TP through a two decade old Assemblage D2D-1/DAC 3.1 Platinum (which I guess is now somewhat of a cult classic DAC). And it stomps all over the DAC and analog output stages of the TP. Still one of my favorite sounding digital instruments.

I've also run it through an old CAL Alpha, and it's a coin toss (depending on which 5751 you roll in it). The CAL Alpha is a wonderful upgrade to a Touch, however.

The TP is simply a flawless digital head end, especially running under ethernet. I don't think anything under $1k in a modern DAC is going to substantially better what's in the TP.

Analog output stages are what separates the great ones from the good ones, and quality analog stages cost serious money.

[Bscott]

I used the DAC inside the Transporter for many, many years and was quite happy. After recently ripping all my Sacds and Bluray audio discs, I decided to try the DAC inside my Krell Digital Vanguard integrated amp. I found the Krell to sound significantly better than the Transporter. So am using the Transporter connected via coax to Krell Amp.

Now I am limited by the Transporter in terms of 96 kHz. So, thinking of switching it out for a Rpi 4 with piCorePlayer if I can get the HDMI connection to work. Currently getting music and static at higher frequencies... another topic... another thread elsewhere....

To answer your question, yes, there are some DACs that will improve sound over the Transporter. However, I was quite happy with the Transporter DAC for many years. Whether your Bryston is better is subjective and only you will know. Give it a try...

[bunkertoy]

I did eventually go with an external DAC. I got a Bel Canto 3.7 dac(worth $5000 in its day). I'm using the AES/EBU output on the Transporter. I recently read that the designer suggests using the coaxial output instead of the AES. My Bel Canto also has BNC connections. not sure if I'll notice a sound difference. Thoughts ?
So when I use these digital outs like the coax or AES, it does bypass the Transporter's DAC correct ?

[Apesbrain]

So when I use these digital outs like the coax or AES, it does bypass the Transporter's DAC correct ?

Yes.

[sgmlaw]

I don’t think on a higher caliber downstream instrument it is going to make much difference whether you feed it a balanced or coaxial S/PDIF connection from the TP.

I use an AES cable with my setup, as the D2D-1 reconstructs and reclocks the bitstream to under 2ps jitter no matter the input format. I just happened to have a nice AES cable on hand.

To my ears, I don’t hear further improvements over 96khz, and won’t waste the money chasing those higher sample rates on the hardware. Besides, the media is twice the price anyway.

The old Bel Canto is a good DAC even today. Think of the TP as a solid state transport, and don’t look back.

[bunkertoy]

Thanks for the insight Sgmlaw.