Rodney

The balanced outputs don't have jumpers so the volume control is purely digital, although not necessary I preferred to use a passive preamp on the balanced outputs (Audio Synthesis Passion 8m).

I wouldn't say the Transporter was a 'no brainer' choice, it depends on your requirements. I've not heard a standard Transporter but after the original bout of modifications by Reference Audio Mods my Transporter was a close match for a standard analogue version of the SB+ but cost nearly 4 times the price. It needed a few more mods to pull ahead of the SB+, in other words, if you don't need the DAC/preamp facilities of the Transporter then an analogue SB+ at �1000 is exremely good value for money. With power conditioning and decent cables it was very close to my GNSC modified Wadia 861se.

I recently sold my Transporter to somebody with ATC 20's and 100's (not sure that's the right numbers), as far as I know he is using the output from the Transporter direct to the speakers.

Regards
Gary