looking forward to your impressions Jim.

I got it all hooked up yesterday and did a little listening.

California Audio Labs Delta Transport
Paradisea DAC
DBX-3BX-DS Replaced the DBX-3BX Series II

First I played Lucky Man and was mildly impressed, I did some adjusting to the DBX during this song. From here I went to Head over Heels by Poco, this seemed a little fast to me but I think it is me as everything else I listened to was fine for speed. By the time I got to The Traveling Wilburys I stayed with them, the combination of the new to me transport and Paradisea with the DBX-3BX-DS was wonderful, I have always been looking to get the strike that you get with live music that always seemed to elude me before, the rythum guitar for it's strike of the cords, the lead and the vocals that are more than just there, they come to you as they would if they were there. The sharpness of the drums, not sloppy slushy, but instead the tight impact of the drum head being struck, a little more volume and I would have the chest thump of the bass. I don't mean to sound like my system was lacking before, what has become more noticeable is the entrance of instuments, the clarity, seperation, at lower volumes, and I don't really know how to describe it, it showed mostly with the Wilburys, I am repeating myself........

What I liked was getting these impressions without having the volume at a little more extreme levels, it seemed to me that even a low levels I was getting more dynamics which probably can be attributed to the DBX as much as anything. I think that at extreme volumes I would need to make more adjustments as I think it would be over done, but till the wife is out I won't get that test accomlished.

Jim

Yes wives don't like loud music.

Glad you like your new toys, Jim.
Enjoy and have fun.

Thanks for sharing your DAC/transport experience. I've been thinking about my CDP situation and have been considering DAC/Transport combos like the Wadia and MAC 1000 (in my dreams, of course!).

I'm on the fence about tube vs. SS output stages. I have an early Cal Audio Aria with two output stage tubes and also the original Magnavox unit it is based on. On a pure solid state system, the tubed unit softens the edges which is a good tradeoff for a hair less detail. Going tube DAC on a pure tube system i.e. tubed pre and amp, may tube-ify the sound too much and give me the impression of coloration. Whatever I decide on, the comparo will be fun.

Speaking of DAC's, last night I picked up a ss Aragon D2A DAC with separate power supply. I have yet to try it.

Jim, i think you'll enjoy the DAC\transport more and more as you go, at least thats how it was for me. more than just an improvement in dynamics, what i enjoy most about the improvement is the level of refinement and smoothness with an increase in clarity and detail.