PWT- First impressions.

BlueKnight · Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2011 8:41 am Post subject: PWT- First impressions.

When it comes to formulating an opinion, I’m a lot like Thomas of Bible fame. I need to see in order to believe. I don’t pay much attention to glossy literature boo chit. Well, I saw… and heard. And call me a believer!

After a five hour warm-up, I played the first CD. Two thing were immediately apparent right out of the box. The timbre of the voices was far more natural and the decay of the musical notes went on for ever.

The PWT is totally silent. After you load the CD, it only takes the CD-ROM drive a few seconds to read the data and sent it to the Digital Lens ( Memory). All you hear is jitter-free bit perfect data. Even CD’s that used to cause lock-ups and skips were read [ and played] perfectly.

I’ll have more to report later. I am currently breaking-in a BC96 digital cable and doing some A/B comparisons with my StereoVox XV2.

Computers and this type of transport are the future of audio playback. The days of the gilded players sold by the pounds and carats are numbered. ( You know the ones…$10 grands worth of cosmetics and $100 bucks worth of technology) Well maybe not in Saudi Arabia where they bling their Rolls-Royces.

Stay tuned.

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Mike

BlueKnight · Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2011 10:14 am Post subject:

When I first ordered the PW Transport last November, I asked Gilbert if I could try his 110 Ohms BC96 digital cable so I could use the AES/EBU outputs.

The PWT has an assortment of digital outputs including I2S which is only compatible with their PW DAC using an HDMI cable.

The cable that I have been using was the 75 Ohms Coax StereoVox XV2. A silver conductor terminated with an RCA plug for use with S/PDIF.

Am I comparing apples and oranges?

So far, thanks to the selector switch on my BC501, I can easily go back and forth and compare the sound.

If you have ever read the reports on the XV2, on word always came-up: " A giant-killer". Especially when you factor-in the price.

And what I can tell you about the BC96 so far ( keeping in mind that it is new) is that it might just be a giant, giant-killer. I find it very immediate and more analytical while the XV2 has a softer presence.

Rock cable vs Jazz cable?

One thing is certain though, Gilbert is not getting his cable back. Bill me! Laughing

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Mike

BlueKnight · Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2011 8:53 am Post subject:

Many more hours being spent listening and evaluating.

The BC96 is getting most of the attention as it is emerging as the most musical of the two.

The following is a true story. Cross my heart and hope to die.

Yesterday I was playing different genres and artists. As I was listening to Eva Cassidy's Songbird album, ( Love that girl!!) My wife and her sister who's visiting from Halifax, asked if they could have a listen with me.

So they both grabbed a big cushion and sat at the back of the room. As I was nearing the end of the CD with "Over the Rainbow", I could here a definite noise over the music. What is the CD or the PWT acting-up? So I turned the machine off only to notice that the 'noise' came from the girls balling their eyes out...! " It's so beautiful," they said.

Women.......
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Mike

stew · Advanced Member Joined: 31 Jan 2007 Posts: 100

Glad the new transport seems to be working out so well for you! Please keep us posted as you spend more time.

Regarding your comparison of the SPDIF vs. XLR digital cables: I have done a similar comparison before, between two Cardas digital cables, both running from the TacT to the Bryston DAC. I found that the XLR was more strikingly decisive, with stronger bass and overall "tighter" presentation. By comparison, the SPDIF cable sounded softer, perhaps similar to what you are reporting. I personally prefer the sound of the XLR over the SPDIF, but I could easily see how someone else could lean the other way. My humble opinion is that the difference is, at least in strong part, due to the cable format rather than the brand of cable.

Have fun!
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BlueKnight · Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 2:43 pm Post subject:

stew · Advanced Member Joined: 31 Jan 2007 Posts: 100

Cool. Let us know what u find.

Right now I am using Cardas Neutral Reference for both of my digital runs (SPDIF from Arcam DVD to TacT, AES from TacT to DAC). I use all single ended analog interconnects and speaker cables from BC. I will be changing to XLR once my preamp is upgraded.
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BlueKnight · Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 11:51 am Post subject:

On thing is certain, the PWT cannot turn a sow's ear into a silk purse. A bad performance will always be a bad performance no matter what front end, cable or amplifier you're using.

And I was reminded of that fact yesterday when I was playing Diana Krall's discography. When she's good, she's extraordinary but when she's bad, she really stinks. She should dump Elvis and get back to her roots.

I'm waiting for my next shipment of liquid courage before I audition Adèle 19.

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Mike

Ha Boi Egg · Advanced Member Joined: 13 Aug 2010 Posts: 366

BlueKnight · Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 3:19 pm Post subject:

Ha Boi Egg · Advanced Member Joined: 13 Aug 2010 Posts: 366

Valvefan · Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 7:40 pm Post subject:

Stew

Are you modding the BC3000 II to make it balanced?

Valvefan

stew · Advanced Member Joined: 31 Jan 2007 Posts: 100

Yup. Adding a solid state output stage with balanced outputs. And getting Gzpz power supply upgrade at the same time. Should be good.
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BlueKnight · Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2012 10:00 am Post subject:

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Mike

BlueKnight · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 11:28 am Post subject:

After many more hours of listening primarily to Patricia Barber, I've decided to remove the XV² out of the loop and keep the BC96.

I should get the Acoustic Zen MC² cable this week for a more even match.

Silver vs copper debate? At least with XLR connections, I don't have to worry about directional orientation. Rolling Eyes

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Mike

BlueKnight · Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 2:26 pm Post subject:

The Acoustic Zen cable arrived this morning and currently cooking. I will give it a first listen after supper.

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Mike