My format of choice is CDs. I use an old Pioneer Elite DVD player with a Benchmark coax cable feeding my PSA MKll with great results. I’ve considered replacing the Pioneer with the PST in the past but came to the conclusion that unless I wanted to get into the SACD format in a big way it really wasn’t necessary to invest big bucks in a CD transport. Steve Guttenberg dropped this today and he seems to think that there is a considerable difference in the sound of CD transports. Other discussions I’ve participated in, including here, concluded not so much. I don’t know what to believe.
I have noticed differences between cd transports for some time. I tried a handful with my first few DACs from cd players and transports from Harmon Kardon, Sony, Pioneer, Marantz, Oppo and NAD, and then when I began using the PS Audio with their DACs I noticed an improvement. The DMP and the PST were the very best I tried and an Audiolab the second best but not quite as good for Redbook and of course did not do the SACD handshake.
So my experience. . . yes, transports do matter. As do power cords to them and isolation treatment under them.
My last three transports were Wadia 20, OPPO 205 (used as a transport), and the current PST. I can assure you each one has had a significant SQ improvement in that order.
No, I don’t have access to a dealer nearby anymore. I have used various devices feeding a DAC via coaxial in my system over the years including a Sony unit I occasionally use for SACD play back and the audio differences have been minimal. I’ve noticed more differences just by changing power cords and adding vibration isolation products with whatever I’m using as a transport at the time than I have by changing the transport itself. But I’ve never been in the position to try a transport that can be used with a I2S cable and Steve said that made a big difference in his video.
Well, if the funds are available you could try getting a PST from PS Audio. You’d at least be able to try it with I2S and see how it fares in your system. Worst comes to worst you’re out the shipping cost to send it back to Boulder.
And yes, the transports do make a difference. How much is always system and ear dependent.
Budget? I would like to try a transport but for me I can’t afford that right now. So I have a Marantz SA-10 SACD player and love it. Works the same as the PST and separate DAC, just has a different way of getting there. Saved me a lot of cash!
Regarding the PST try before you buy, is sage advice. Make certain you understand their return policy as well. Returned mine and went with a Jay’s CDT-2 Mk 3, happy camper. Unless you are into SACD playback in a big way the Jay’s is fine. The Jay’s can feed the PSA Mk II with I2S if that is your preference.
Quite frankly, if I were to upgrade to a PST someday I would probably purchase one of the used ones you see advertised from on the forum from time to time. Have you seen what the sticker price they’re asking these days on a new one? So, using the trial period is not really an option for me. I would feel like I were abusing PS Audio to order one for trial knowing that I would be sending it back. I don’t feel a particular need to upgrade my transport right now as I am quite satisfied with how my MKll sounds paired with my present transport. So, if the consensus here were that I could get a significant upgrade in sound with a transport upgrade I might keep an eye out for a good deal. If not I could certainly find other ways to spend some cash where the upsides are probably more certain. Like some Iconoclast interconnects or a cartridge and tone arm upgrade.
I’ll second the Jay’s Audio transports as excellent value. I went from their CDT2-mk3 to their CDT3-mk3 and absolutely love what it does for CD playback sound quality. A lot will depend on the rest of your system and how revealing it is. The Jay’s feeding the PS Audio DS DAC mk1 is great. When feeding the Mola Mola Tambaqui it’s even better.
My plan exactly if I decide to upgrade. One possible reason to consider it though is that I2S possibility. As I understand it using a coax cable like I do uses the clock on the transport side. A I2S cable would use the clock in the DAC. I would think the clock in my MKll should be a lot better than the clock in a consumer level transport any day. Question is would that make a real difference in the final result.
I’ve always thought of the reason to use I2S was in its enabling a SACD signal to be passed to an external DAC. That might not even be the most important advantage. Helps explain why transports like the Jays use it even though they don’t do SACD.
I have two “Transports” at my disposal. One is the MK1 PerfectWave and the other a Sony UBP-X1000ES. Using an HDMI Video to I2S adapter that I squeezed inside the Transport. I’ve done the demo with friends (Witnesses) at my home with identical SACD’s playing in both Transports at once.
NO ONE heard a difference !
Turntables too I’ve found once you’ve achieved a certain cost/quality level aren’t 'that much" different from each other. The ROI is not as much between those products either.
But Dang I do love looking and listening to all those really High End products at shows and at friends homes.
No I ain’t Randy (Cheap Audio) but (this) Joey G Guy calls things out for what they really are ( to me and some of my friends as well).
Look, I bought the Transport as a used package deal. And they look so good on top each other don’t they ?
I just noticed that my MK1 PSA DAC does DSD over PCM on the RCA (S/PDIF) input. It was just recently service at the factory (thx Caleb). Do I hear a difference between a DSD file played on either input, not sure but I use I2S mostly for for SACD & DSD files playback.
When I asked the question I expected to see a lot of replies from people who have expensive transports in their systems touting the sonic superiority of theirs over more modest transports. I haven’t see those kind of responses. I’m really thinking that my original opinion that expensive transports are more about feel and pride of ownership than better sonics is probably correct.
