Quote
Originally posted by crion:
A week ago I sat down in front of 2 DSP7000 and an 808i CD player. I was astounded of how much information that player digs up. I don't think my present media server comes close.

English mag HiFi News did not get as good readings as Stereophile on Jitter and they have the same measurement equipment. The vanilla Transporter also got beat in soundquality vs a Townshend CD Player according to the article.

Now I'm a digital guy with a digital girlfriend who ripped all her CDs into lossless, we like convenience servers for Audio and Video. What device would be the best soundquality for music?

Currently I use a server that is dampened and isolated from vibration.

Vista/Foobar2k -> Secret Rabbit Code 24/96 Upsampling -> ESI Pro Maya 44 Coax with ASIO 2.0 drivers-> Meridian G68.
If I was in the market for a streaming transport to partner a Meridian processor/DAC, based on what I know now, for the best-bang-for-the-buck, I'd be inclined to go for a standard SB+ at �800 with a good set of cables and power conditioning.

If I had an analogue preamp I'd go for the upgraded SB+ at �1000 which is a step up again and with super-duper cables and power conditioning will give 800 and 808 owners something to think about.

If I wanted the last word in performance then I'm afraid I'm at odds with Mark on the best of the best, a modified Esoteric X-01 still rules the roost for me, from personal experience the Coherent modified X-01 with external word-clock is absolutely stunning! Jaw dropingly stunning! So stunning you just can't comprehend unless you've heard it!

Having said that I suspect even the Coherent X-01 is bettered by the Apl Hi Fi X-01.

Regards
Gary