Wadia W171i Transport

The original Wadia 170i transport was the industry’s first certified “works with iPod” dock to offer pure, bit-perfect digital output, allowing the iPod to perform as a high-end media server. Now the 171i is the first with a certified "works with iPhone".

“Our new 171iTransport does the neat trick of turning both the iPhone and the iPod into the ultimate media servers,” says John Schaffer, President, Wadia Digital. “Listeners who value high-end sound can get the full musical benefit out of their portable music collections, with all the storage advantages and the great user interface. It’s really the perfect marriage between convenience and performance.” 

High-resolution video signals are also passed cleanly through the dock’s component video connections. The cast aluminum chassis reduces unwanted resonance through its vibration absorbing isolation cones. A new power supply indicator is included as well.  A new feature-rich infrared remote control allows convenient navigation through Playlists and Albums. The 171iTransport will recharge either an iPhone or iPod when either device is docked to the iTransport.

"We taken the already amazing 170iTransport and improved its performance with the 171iTransport. We started by upgrading the internal power supply and circuit board. We improved the clocking for lower jitter. We added a TOSLINK digital output for DACs that do not have a coax digital input. The coax digital output was improved with an audiophile grade connector. There is also the new iPhone/iPad adaptor that allows for universal connectivity."

Genesis Digital Lens

I recently renewed my faith in CD transport, but only with a really good jitter reduction equipment like the now out-of-production Genesis Technologies' Digital Lens from the late 1990s.  A used but good condition sample can be found for around US$500 (holds amazing value for something this old).


I tried comparing excellent disc transports with Mac mini/USB based system and found that disc transports are more consistent in sound quality, that is - consistently inferior to the Mac mini.  Particularly the sound stage size and that annoying glare.  The few times that transports are better, it is in the bass, pace and rhythm area.  Rock music works quite well, for some reasons.  May be the Mac mini is too clean and too low on jitter? May be jitter is a good thing for rock music? hmmm....


The Genesis Digital Lens, a unique piece of audio equipment.  There are (were) other similar products such as the Theta TLC, Monarchy DIP, Audio Alchemy DTI Pro, Sonic Frontiers Ultra Jitterbugs, Meridian 518s and Apogee Big Ben.  But these use phase-locked-loop to reduce jitter, which is pretty common feature in most of today's DAC anyway.  Modern re-clocking units like Empirical Audio's Pace Car and Firestone Audio's Bravo focuses on de-jittering the USB data stream.  The Bravo also accepts S/PDIF coaxial and Toslink, but just synchronizes data to its clock with no memory buffer, so it will be much less effective as jitters are errors in time domain and you can't give it new rhythm without stopping it first.  


The Digital Lens uses a theoretically superior method which is a data buffer that holds the bits in its memory, re-clocks them, and then outputs a jitter-free digital stream (well..jitter in the stream removed, but the Lens' close-to-zero clock jitter remains).  Some disc transports do this (such as Theta Jade, Esoteric's higher end models), but it is quite rare.  Since the Digital Lens was actually part-designed by Paul McGowan of PS Audio (he co-founded Genesis Technologies and co-designed the Lens), new PS Audio Perfectwave Transport do this too, but there are no stand alone product like it that I know of.

The Lens is house in black aluminum face plate, high-quality input and output jacks.  The unit has 5 digital inputs (RCA, BNC, Toslink, AES, and Glass optical) and 3 digital outputs (RCA, AES and Glass).  Input is 16-bit only.  Other than buffering and re-clocking, it can also add bits from 16 to 20-bit, and with two type of dithering.  Dither 1 uses more advance triangular dithering and is considered superior.  The remote control lets you set the Lens' dither mode and 16/20 bits from your listening position. The Lens also measure the speed accuracy (in parts per million, "ppm") of the transport's clock to which it's connected.  My 47 Labs' Shigaraki transport measures at 18ppm positive while the Teac VRDS50 measures at 20ppm.  Ironically the cheaper Sony CDP-X5000 measures only 14ppm. Genesis says anything from 10-50 is of ok quality.

The sound from the memory buffered Digital Lens should be, in theory, identical from transport to transport, but it does not.  Let's just say it makes any CD transports sound more open with better definition.  There are less harshness which are common in older CDs.  The sound quality in general is as good as the Mac mini (via Halide bridge asynchronous USB/SPDIF converter feeding the DAC.) 


Stereophile 1996 review of the Digital Lens can be found here.


Having spent most of my time lately using computer-as-source, the benefit of having instant access to your full music library is something I am now so addicted to.  Reaching out for that CD, once seems like a ritual, now feel like labor.  It will be interesting to see how the Lens will fix jitter-prone output of an Apple Airport Express, and would it transform the sound quality to high-end levels.  I do really hope that PS Audio or someone will come out with a modern version of the Digital Lens with ultra accurate clock, 24/192kHz capable inputs, dithered digital volume control, asynchronous USB capability, and buffered digital output (see Lampizator Transport).  That would be a product to rule them all, wouldn't it?

Vintage of the month: Sony CDP-X5000

Recently we acquired a vintage Sony CDP-X5000 from the late 1990s.  Using it as a transport feeding DACs, it is very good, as good as the TEAC VRDS 50.  Better than any DVD-based transport.  It is a fixed-pickup mechanism, much like the famed Sony CDP-XA7ES.  Built quality is first rate and it can be had for very little money these days, if you can find one.  However, please note that the laser pick-up assembly and parts are very hard to find.  So make sure it works before buying.

From thevintageknob.org

"...This notwithstanding, the CDP-X5000 quickly became respected CD drives : 100% non-magnetic aluminium chassis, a Fixed Pickup Mechanism, an AES/EBU output, careful layout of the 4-layer glass epoxy boards, one R-Core transformer,Frame & Beam chassis.

Despite an elaborate Current Pulse digital-to-analogue section, the CDP-X5000 is an integrated CD player with, mainly, a drive vocation : the AES/EBU digital output isn't present for peanuts and that is probably why the X5000 doesn't have a VC filter section like the CDP-X3000 has.

Several dedicated audiophile accessories were made available as well for the X5000 : a brass puck, a Corian puck and an opaque Corian lid. None of these were distributed (or even mentioned) outside Japan - Sony's sky high silliness as usual.
The CDP-X5000 received rave reviews everywhere and excellent sales in Japan but the series nevertheless got shelved rather rapidly. Unlike what is commonly believed, the # 3000and # 5000 separates are NOT part of the ESseries.

The french and german Sony attempted to unload their stocks more easily, late in time, by adding an ES logo next to the model scripting, and on the cartons, and in the manuals. This however remained unseen elsewhere, including Japan, and was just plain bad marketing miscalculation.

The 5000s sold very well in Japan and didn't need an added ES logo to do so - adding it on EU models didn't boost sales either as ES, by then, already didn't mean much anymore."

Esoteric K-01 Digital Source Device

K-01 is Teac/Esoteric new flagship all-in-one SACD/CD Player and DAC replacing the X-01.  Capitalizing on Esoteric's state-of-the-art technology and derived from the award winning P-01/D-01 series separates. Featuring VRDS-NEO transport mechanism. 

The design concept of the K series is extremely clear and simple -- a 2-channel D/A converter and stereo player that gives a stress-free musical experience, without adding or removing anything from the original source material. All aspects of the design and engineering process for the K series had extremely tough requirements to achieve cost-no-object state of the art results.

• New VRDS-NEO "VMK-3.5-20S" mechanism
• Dual 32-bit monaural D/A converters with eight parallel/differential DAC circuits used per channel, as well as separate L/R power supplies
• On-board, high-precision clocking circuit has also been advanced
• Power supply for each circuit block has been optimized by using four on-board power transformers
• Three sets of S/PDIF 192 kHz/24-bit digital inputs, supporting the most advanced high-sampling-rate digital sources are also built-in
• USB input with driver software supports 192 kHz/24-bit asynchronous transmission for connecting with a PC or Mac

There is also a smaller model, the K-03 which uses lesser transport mechanism (VMK 3.5 10s) and 4 parallel DACs per channel rather than eitght.

Acoustic Plan DigiMaster and DriveMaster

In spite of the small size of the CD transport/DA converter combination, Acoustic Plan's  DigiMaster and DriveMaster meets the superior quality demanded by high-end audiophiles. The DriveMaster is equipped with the famous Philips CDPro2 which is also used in studios, test equipment and continuous music reproduction units. This together with the special suspension of the drive module ensures a highly accurate readout is maintained. 


The DriveMaster has two digital outputs, a SPDIF with BNC connector and a non standard I2S output. The I2S connection to the DigiMaster D/A converter allows a direct data transfer without any converting of the SPDIF signal. An optional full metal remote control is available that ensures ease of operation.

The DigiMaster D/A converter is small and simple.  The USB as well as the SPDIF inputs have 192kHz/24 bit receivers and they pass on the data stream to the 24-bit R2R PCM1704U-K converter. Neither upsampling nor oversampling is used and this keeps the data as pure as possible. The USB data transfer works in an asynchronous mode, whereby the clock is determined by the high precision clock generator in the DigiMaster. To avoid ground loops between the PC and the DigiMaster, the USB receiver circuit is powered by the PC, whereas inductive couplers provide the galvanic separation between the two units.

The minimalist philosophy of the circuit design is continued in the analogue filter and in the analogue output stage. For that reason, only analogue filters are used to cut off the undesirable ultrasonic frequency range. Depending on the sampling rate, the filters are switched to the proper cut off frequency. The analogue filters consist of custom made precision inductors and capacitors. A pure tube output stage amplifies the small analogue signals and provides a low output impedance to partnering electronics.

All devices of the Master series have an external high quality switching power supply as standard. They meet the latest energy saving directives and have a medical approval for low electromagnetic radiation. As an upgrade, a power supply with linear regulation of Acoustic Plan’s own production is available. This power supply is able to supply two devices of the Master series. The software of both devices (DigiMaster and DriveMaster) is developed "in house" exclusively by Acoustic Plan.

Designed to offer a very high level of reproduction they offer the following specification:

DigiMaster DAC
- USB input for high resolution audio format up to 192kHz/24bit asynchronous mode, input ground free via iCoupler.
- SPDIF input for high resolution audio format up to 192kHz/24bit, BNC connector, transformer coupled
- I2S input for DriveMaster
- Multibit D/A converter
- no oversampling
- no upsampling
- no digital filter in the signal path
Analogue section:
- analogue low pass filter (cutoff depending on sampling rate) and purely passive.
- tube output stage
- no semiconductors in the audio path
- includes a software driver on a CD for Windows. It is compatible with Win XP/Win Vista/Win 7 and an must have a USB 2.0 interface. For Mac and Linux no driver is needed.
- output: 2V/ 200 Ohm
- Price €2500 (approx £2000)

DriveMaster Transport:
- Phillips CDPro2M transport
- SPDIF output with BNC connector
- I2S output for DigiMaster DAC
- Optional full metal remote control
- Price €2500 (approx £2000)

Dimensions: 106mm x 125mm x 260mm
Weight: 2kgs each

Additional high quality upgradable "plug in" power supply is also available offering the user a "plug in" upgrade path for even better sound quality.

MSB Technology Universal Media Transport

MSB Technology's new Universal Media Transport is based on the new Oppo BDP-93.  Basically the same feature sets but with modifications on analog and digital board as well as the power supply which is now housed in a separate unit. Plays most type of discs (including SACD and Bluray) and also can stream from network, external HDD and USB memory stick.

Oppo BDP-95 Universal 3D Blu-ray disc player

Shipping in February 2011 is the Blu-ray player to rule them all. The BDP-95 is Oppo's replacement of the acclaimed BDP-83SE.  The BDP-95 shares the same drive mechanism as its sister BDP-93 but with optimized analog audio performance.

• 2 x ES9018 SABRE 32-bit reference DAC chip, one for 7.1 output, the other for stereo
• Dynamic range of up to 135dB
• Rotel-made Toroidal linear power supply (major upgrade from the BDP-83)
• Dedicated stereo outputs, RCA and XLR
• Coaxial and toslink digital outputs
• Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD
• Plays every disc known to man including Blu-ray 3D , DVD-Audio, and SACD 
• Netflix and Blockbuster streaming
• Qdeo technology video processing provide DVD upconversion to 1080p
• True 24p pull-down
• 2 x HDMI 1.4a
• 2 x USB ports
• Wireless and Ethernet

If that still does not satisfy you, Nuforce will announce announced at CES2011 three modified versions, the BDP-93NE (Nuforce Edition), the BDP-93NXE (Nuforce Extreme Edition) and the BDP-95NXE. 

Network music streamers

If you want to stream digital audio files on your computer to your stereo hi-fi set, you have quite a number of options.  Here are some of them.


Apple Airport Express

A small 802.11n hub/base station that plugs direct into your wall socket.  Not only it is able to create and connects up to 10 users and share a USB printer over wifi, it allows you to stream iTunes over wifi from your computer (the toggle on the lower right hand corner in your iTunes window selects computer or the AE), the Airport Express is then connects to your stereo system over an analog mini output, or a digital mini-toslink output.

• Small, easy to set up
• Works only with iTunes's "Airplay" protocol
• Convertible mini jack analog/digital toslink output
• Support AIFF, WAV, ALAC, MP3, and WMA files
• Only compatible with 16-bit/44.1kHz and 48kHz files
• $US99

The Airport Express works very well.  The analog output sounds surprisingly good considering the diminutive size (putting switching power supply together with DAC and everything else is certainly not a good thing).  if you use normal cable, the toslink output requires an mini-toslink adapter, and it plugs into the same hole as the analog mini output.  My quibble is that having a toslink multiplexer in the digital audio stream is jitter-prone and would like to see a coaxial RCA digital output.  However, since electrical isolation may be a challenge given its small form factor, Apple's engineer may have chosen toslink which is electronically isolated.  Now if you want a better case and power supply...

Micromega Airstrean WM-10

The WM-10 is basically a souped-up Airport Express but they call it "Airstream".  It has basically the same specs and functions except the aluminum case (black or silver) and better power supply (R-core transformers rather than switching PSU).  Although it uses the Cirrus Logic 4344 24-bit/192hKz DAC (same with the AE), the streaming is limited to 16-bit 44.1/48kHz files due to Airplay limitations.  Another limitations is that no matter what file you choose to play, the WM-10 will convert to Apple Lossless (ALAC) on the fly (same as the AE).  Although Micromega is a great french digital company with experience in this field, I still do not see the point of spending $1,595 vs Airport Express' $99.  

Micromega also makes an integrated amplifier with Airstream built-in, the AS400.  Denon and Marantz are coming out with their own version of Airplay compatible network streamers.  Watch this space.

Linn DS

Linn of UK went all out and announced that they will no longer produce CD players and will only market digital streamers, or "DS" in Linn lingo.  Linn DS players music stored on a hard-disk or Network Attached Storage through RJ-45 Ethernet (Linn doesn't believe in Wifi).  There are 3 models, from expensive to super expensive:

• Majik DS - Plays FLAC, WAV, MP3, AIFF with resolution up to 24/192kHz, Ethernet input, on-board digital volume control.  No digital output.  There's also an integrated control+amp model called Majik DS-i

• Akurate DS (above) - adds WMA, OGG and AAC support.  Adds balanced XLR analog audio and digital (BNC S/PDIF) output.  Linn Dynamik switch mode power supply.
• Klimax DS (below) - pretty much the same guts as the Akurate but with better chassis, power supply and analog output stage.

Logitech Squeezebox Touch

For those who do not want to be stuck with everything iTunes and the constrictive 16-bit.  The Touch is the latest incarnation of the successful Squeezebox series.  It is a great product and will play any file format you throw at it up to 24/96 resolution.  It is compatible with both Windows and Mac, iTunes and others.  You need to install a small host program called Squeezebox Server in your host computer and the squeezebox will find the music library automatically when connected to the same wifi network.  The touch screen works well and easy to read.  There was never a single drop-out over the 3 months I used it.  Software on the unit may not be as robust and as user friendly as the Apple-designed ones, but it works as advertised.

• 4.3" touch color screen
• Wifi 802.11N, or Ethernet connection
• AKM4420 DAC chip (one of the best "mid-fi" chip there is)
• USB host port for external USB drives - can be hacked to make it work with USB DACs
• SD card slot 
• Play virtually all formats
• Built-in internet radio capabilities
• Abilities to add custom "apps"
• Coaxial and toslink digital output
• 24-bit/96kHz compatible
• US$299

You can control the Touch using it touchscreen interface, its included small black remote control, or the excellent iPeng app for iPhone and iPad.


The Touch sounds good.  Very easy on the ears and on the soft side and has a laid-back presentation, it is quite good out of the box with little or no break-in.  However we audiophiles are never satisfied.  After searches on the internet, I found out that there are modification services specifically for the Touch available from specialist companies like Audiocom and Bolder cables.


I went for the Audiocom Level-2 digital upgrade (GBP277), sending the unit to UK where they install Bybee slipstream purifier for DC input and replaces circuits with low noise wide band regulators, OS-CONs everywhere and replaces the coaxial digital output circuit with silver wiring plus a nice NextGen digital output jack from WBT.  


I also purchased the Teddy Pardo's TTouch Power Supply (EUR270) which replaces the 5v switch mode wall wart with the superiorly low-noise power supply featuring the propreitary SuperTeddyRegulator.  

Sonic improvements after the upgrade are apparent.  The sound is now cleaner, more articulate and refined.  However, I am using it to feed an external DAC that I am familiar with.  Let me tell you this, as a transport, It beats all the disc-based transports I own and it is definitely better than running toslink direct out of the Mac mini.  Perhaps Wifi protocol just re-arranges the bits and eliminates jitter.  May be the power supply is so clean that the background becomes blacker than black.  The Audiocom modded Squeezebox Touch with Teddy Pardo PSU is the absolute best sounding transport I have ever own. 

Bryston BDP-1 Digital Music Player

Designed as a companion to Bryston's well-respected BDA-1 DAC, the BDP-1 is a high resolution digital audio player with no DAC of its own.  Sort of like a disc-less transport.  Takes in digital audio data from its USB port, so your music stored in a USB hard drive and thumb drive would work.  the BDP-1 can also connects to a NAS drive on a network through an ethernet connection. Sorry no wifi at the moment.  The Linux-based machine connects to an external DAC via SPDIF outputs.  

Features

• Connects to external USB drive (one thumb drive included)
• 4 x USB ports (2 front, 2 back)
• 16-bit and 24-bit compatible
• 44.1kHz to 192kHz and everything in between
• Fanless, Linux based
• AIFF, FLAC and WAV compatible
• 1 x AES/EBU and 1 x BNC SPDIF outputs
• Galvanic isolation of inputs
• Controllable through a soon-to-be-released iPod/iPhone app

Well, at US$2,100 and no Wifi?  It must sound really really good to win people over from Windows or Mac based solutions, let alone a squeezebox touch's excellent digital output over wifi.  Or if you want to go overboard with the Mac, there is always the Mach2Music (a modified MacMini with Solid State Drive for $1,495).

47 Laboratory Shigaraki Transport

At last, I found a used mint 47 Lab Shigaraki 4716 Transport.  It is a very simple - zen like - transport based on cheap Sanyo mechanism but supposedly gives you 95% of the sound of the more expensive Flatfish ($6,500).  47 Lab also makes an even more expensive model called the Pi-tracer ($28,000), which is out of this world (and out of my league).

I figure simple transport like this would match well with my new found taste in simple "non-over-sampling-no-filter-16-bit-only" DAC. Very zen indeed.






The Shigaraki (name after a kind of Japanese ceramic, which is the material for the base), as opposed to most method used in other high end transports, is bare-bone, free spinning, and has no dampening material what so ever. It uses a rigid housing which the transport is mounted to directly, no suspension.  Digital output is as raw as it could be.  Someone measured it and posted traces on the web showing very nice square wave.


The Shigaraki has a very good following in the DIY scene.  Shiga-clone DIY projects have been posted all over the place (416-page long DIY thread, another one here, and here).  Even the Lampizator made one and felt that it beats his Theta data transport.


Will report back after some serious listening.

Lite Audio DAC-83 / LT-1

Months back, I auditioned Lite's product, the DAC-60.  It made beautiful music in a modest system.  However I think there was a slight veil to its sound.  The music didn't come through the way it should.  Not sure the output is tube, but they did sounded a bit "tubey".  May be it's the accompanying electronics (couldn't remember what, but it was tube), or the Harbeth speakers?  


Lite Audio from China is now back with its flagship product the DAC-83.  Looks well-built.

The DAC-83 is housed in a monolithic black aluminium box.  Four Burr-Brown PCM1704K running a fully balanced circuit.  FET pure class A no-negative-feedback output.  Accept up to 24-bit 96khz then de-jittered and up-sampled to 24/192. One each of AES/EBU, RCA and Toslink SPDIF.  Balanced XLR and RCA outputs. Claimed dynamic range of over 133dB. Power supply is housed in a separated isolated unit. 


All this for only US$1098

Also available is the matching LT- One top-loading, up-sampling CD transport (Pacific Valve & Electric Co, the US importer, call this model Lite Audio CD 21 for some reasons).  Providing a second set of up-sampled 24/96 output. Mechanics from Sony pro series.  

High quality R-core transformer. Fan shaped disc clamp for extra stability. I2S output included, and it's only US$598!


Did I mentioned there's a high quality digital cable thrown in? 

Two headless servers

After scouting the resourceful Computer Audiophile forum for a while, I decided to get myself a new Mac Mini 2010 model, complete with 8GB Ram and will be configuring it purely for audio use.  To be controlled headlessly from another Mac using screen sharing and will be using my iPad to control music streaming from iTunes (with PureMusic or Amarra) wirelessly through a secure wifi connection. 

I will further enhance the unit by installing a Solid State Drive in it to make it completely silence of noise and radio frequency inferences.  Music will be store in an Oyen digital  separate firewire-connected drive.   Users report that this Mac Mini as transport, coupled with state of the art USB DACs are sublime.  Will see when I finish upgrading the hardware, configure the OS, and get my hands on the Tranquility SE USB DAC.

Now, if I am less of a Mac/Apple fan, I would consider as well a specialized headless UNIX machine design to just playing music.   So in addition to whatever the Mac Mini can do, the Auraliti MPD machine can output high quality analog audio, plus a proper coaxial SPDIF digital output.  


No moving parts and super green (like my mod Mac Mini) and design to do nothing but output music.  Driver-free USB for most USB DACs as well.  At $799 - I may try it out if I have another house or something.