I received my Transport yesterday (exquisitely packaged by the way) and got it installed. I am blown away! The debut SACD was Steely Dan’s “Aja” by Analogue Productions and it has never sounded better. Superb product and a very pleased customer!
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Thanks for the early review! Can you make comparisons to the PST if you’d owned or heard it?
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I have to wait until it gets assembled (? weekly production). I also have wait to get $300 deposit refunded, why it can’t be applied to purchase price??.
After trade in PST2024, subtotal is $5999.00+tax + shipping.
soon I will find out if it is worth the trade in.
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I received New SACD player on 8/3/25, Played few CD/SACDs, I am impressed. it has solid built( no shinny top)back ground is dark and music appeared focused up front in center. I like it much better than PST, but I feel paying 6K to swap new player is like digging deep into pockets. I did have a glitch as at some point CD tray would not operate or acknowledge CD, then I had to manually push it it in still no recognition.
Heck it is computer, so I just reset it by turning on and off switch in back and it worked w/o Hiccup.
Remote is same shape with newly designated buttons. Caveat, One has to manually push button on screen( player) to open and close CD Tray.
I am happy so far, I suspect there will be new firm ware grade to make Remote user friendly.
I will wait to pair it with PMG DAC for Now, No I will not jump the line.
Thank you.
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I thought Paul said the sound quality differences between the two were minimal…
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I recall him saying something like that the difference wouldn’t be near as noticeable as the new PMG DAC and Preamp. Would love to hear it for myself, but can’t afford that kind of upgrade any time soon!
I think I heard the same thing. Paul I think said that the SQ difference in the Transport is not that much. I use Stack Audio EQ isolation feet for everything. The SACD transport is prone to acoustic feedback. The PMG Pre is much better SQ wise than BHK. I am considering the PMG DAC, but need to save up.
There is really no innovative technology that went into the design of PMG SACD transport. It comes with a new case with some minor changes and that was about it. PMG Dac (and pre), on the other hand, is a totally new design from the ground up. Paul has said the new DAC sounds much better (and pre). So, it makes sense to upgrade DAC first if you just want to do one.
My plan is to keep both PST and MK2 (with APS transformer upgrade) since I seldom listen to discs. But if PMG Dac can compete with the likes of MU2, then I may consider. The hard part is should I get silver or black since more of my components are black now.
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Personally, I really like the black.
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Interesting…
CD tray has firm feel and it was struck out and manually pushing it IN was only way, then it did not acknowledge disc and would not play CD,until I Reset it by turning it off and on.
I really liked the PST remote with EJECT button. I did not have to do stooping, bending to push icons.
I received the Black SACD player, it has dull finish, matches with my AR Monos and preamp.
Yes, there is a difference in SQ between PST and PMG SACD. I am not saying it is 50% or more, But I could discern background was darker, enjoyed listening to jazz messenger in Tunisia SACD.
For my ears music appeared more focused then PST may be 20-30%, I will admit I have some hearing deficit but do not need hearing aids.
My Equipment:AR mono 160,AR 6SE preamp,Focal Scala V2 speakers, Dynamic design balanced IC and Cardas clear beyond SC. AQ hurricane PCs /Niagra 5000 power conditioners, with two 20 amp line/AQ oulets.
I
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Yep, I chose Black for the PMG Pre. All my other PSAudio gear is black so I didn’t see a need to switch.
I did write that but let me put that in perspective. The SQ improvement of the PMG Signature Transport and the SACD Transport is quite noticeable and it won’t take but a CD or two to hear it. The blackness and image separation are noticeably better. I wouldn’t go back.
That said, what I wanted to suggest is those differences pale in comparison to the Grand Canyon differences you’ll experience with the preamp, the DAC, and at some point, the PMG Phono Preamplifier (and don’t tell anyone I said this but when the new amps come out next year….). The magnitude of change between the DirectStream and BHKs and the new PMGs is hard to put into words.
Easier to define the differences you will absolutely hear and love with between the two disc spinners.
Hope that helps clarify my thoughts.
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here it is
Thank you for affirmation, that has been my experience as stated in my posts
Thanks! Much appreciated. It’s always difficult, if not impossible, to put into words what we are hearing and feeling. It’s been a classic challenge not just for HiFi but for humans as long as we have been using language. I try my best.
Any hints on what topology will be used in the new amps?
I’m curious I guess that unless I use a PSA Dac I can’t listen to DSD? It has no analog outputs. It has other digital outputs but those won’t output DSD. Do I have that correct?