Your Ethos is working not as a transport, but as a player with its own DAC, that sends the signal already converted via Sakra XLRs, correct?
What is the difference if used as a transport only?
It’s a dream device and there is also a total black version, simply wonderful!
Fun. I have the total Black version. Just to bug Vince.
That is a great question Luca! When I had the MU1 I used the AES/EBU transport out port to feed the CD output to the MU1. That allowed the MU1 to work it’s magic on the signal. I quite enjoyed it. At the time I was operating on the belief that the reason the Ethos sounds so amazing is the transport first and foremost. When I asked Rune why the Ethos sounds so wonderful, is it the transport or something else? He said the transport is not really that important, that it is the output stage of the DAC that makes the most difference. Hmmmmm!!!
When my MU2 arrived I decided to not connect the Ethos to it. Instead I used a pair of balanced V17 Sakras to go from the main output of the Ethos to the BACCH-SP adio. Mmmmmmm.
I have to say though, just using the transport out connection sounded amazing. I sometimes wonder about answers I get from high level information sources. Rune should know. He most likely does. But still.
Rune mentioned the magic with the ethos is its dual mono class A output for analog outputs. It is a marvel for sure. Here is the link for those interested.
Sadly for me that is the Ethos true potential is unlocked with Sakra V17’s. All other cables provide maybe 75% of what the Ethos is capable of no exaggeration. I wish it wasn’t true but it is.
I wouldn’t be so hard on yourself. I think with an attitude like that you are well on your way to becoming a class A doofus 
Thanks!
Wait, is being a Doofus a bad thing?
That explains so much!
Not a good or bad thing, just a state of being.
Then I admire you more!
Might be a bit late replying here, but here’s my take on SACD and CD playback on a PST (I had one last month for a couple weeks but sent it back because it failed to read CDs over half the time - took 2-5 tries). Redbook CDs via I2S sounded amazingly better than the same Flac rips played back thru my DS DAC MkI. One of the most profound improvements I’ve heard in my system over the past 40 years. But SACDs on the other hand did not sound much different to me than the same DSF rip. A bit better perhaps but not worthy of special praise. I don’t know why, but that’s just the facts Ma’am.
So now I am looking at acquiring a Jay’s for CD playback based on the comments here. Wish I could buy the American-made PST, but the price differential, my recent bad experience and the marginal difference (to me) in SACD playback over DSF, lead me to conclude that the Jay’s is the way to go. Just not sure yet if I should try the earlier version or go with a MK3.
Folks whose opinions I hold in high regard are sacd enthusiasts. I never got the sacd craze. Some sounded a bit better to me, some didn’t, just like redbook or vinyl. I wouldn’t spend any extra money to have this capability.
But Class A is good.
So a class A doofus must be good 
https://www.stereophile.com/content/gramophone-dreams-88-teac-vrds-701t-cd-transport
I would save money and buy this.
Or the Jay’s.
I own several transports & CD players.
PWT & PST. Atoll (French). Rega, Jay’s. TEAC.
Teac and Jay’s my favourites.
I only use the PST to play SACDs. I have thousands of CDs but only a few hundred SACDs and the majority of them are hybrid CD / SACDs.
I suggest a real world Redbook spinner, the Jay’s CDT3 Mk3. I have the CDT2 Mk3 and while a fine sounding player the CDT3 Mk3 brings significantly more to the game. Better bass definition, more air and a sense of space, think 3D holographic. IMO the CDT3 Mk3 is worth the extra spend, as one will always wonder should they have stepped up to the CDT3 Mk3 versus the CDT Mk3. One piece of advice, walk away from any CDT3 Mk2, as the clock is obsolete, and should it fail the unit can not be repaired. Recommendation from Beatechnik’s Alvin.
It probably depends how they were recorded. Weren’t some SACD’s originally recorded in 16Bit/44.1kHz PCM?
I would imagine good recordings and bad recordings in any format.
Yes that too. But it kind of seems like a rip off to buy SACD’s that started out as 16Bit/44.1kHz PCM recordings.
The CDT3 MK3 is a very fine spinner and I concur with weedeewop… I have no regrets buying it even though it is a “made in China” product…it really looks and feels like a top flight piece of kit (because it is) that I feel can compete with all comers…regardless of price!
If you want to step it up some the Qstab Pro black disk clamp is a must have. It brings a more defining musical palette… although subtle in nature… but… none the less… a must have clamp upgrade!
Just recently I acquired a Synergistic Research tranquility base basik that I placed under the Jays. In all honesty my expectations were not very high seeing that I was placing it under a “transport”…Boy…was I dead wrong!!! I don’t know what kind of voodoo SR uses but man I’m completely gobsmacked as to what it brings to my listening pleasure! It definitely raised the bar bringing a new found musicality to the show!
I like it so much that I ordered 2 of the Tranquility Pod Carbon’s to try with my Gryphon 300…I will try one over top of the internal dac… and one underneath the amp. Should prove interesting!
Yes indeed the latest Qstab Black is highly recommended for a noticeable yet subtle improvement.
Stack Auva EQ 1 footers under the Jay’s. No comment as the Jay’s break-in continues. My initial impression is an upgrade to the EQ 2 is necessary, and am in communication with Josh.
The Tranquility ba̅sik UEF is reasonably priced if it’s bringing that level of improvement. Might have to check it out.
