Sonic Transporter i5 vs MacBook Pro

[garym]

Thanks for clarification - well understood. From my POV I tend to be subjectivist in my views. I’ve usually found it takes me hours of ‘normal listening’, preferably accompanied by a tasty beverage and nice lighting , before I really know if I like a product or not. Quick A-B stuff does nothing for me, and would be an unreliable test in my case. After a period of time I’ll just know if a product sounds (a) different and (b) better or worse. I trust my judgement to that extent. From what you describe, it would be hard to justify $1k for the benefits.

Not to turn this into a discussion on double blind testing (which would only end badly with no minds changed and clog the thread ) I can’t help myself but mention one thing. Double-blind tests don’t have to be quick A-B snippits; that’s a misconception. One can do ABX tests, for example, where the listening period can be any amount of time you want (hours, days, weeks, months!).

[Nepherte (Bart Verhoeven)]

Next you’re gonna tell me you have a TotalDAC D1-Dual + HeadAmp Blue Hawaii SE + Stax SR007/SR009?

[Jeremy_Jones]

I’m afraid not - but you have a great system! My other gear is in the original post. Probably, the next thing I would do for my system would be a power conditioner. Probably more bang for $$$ than the ST, based on what I’m hearing.

[wklie (Peter Lie)]

I questioned why moving my Roon Core from a late model MacBool Pro to a sonicTransporter i5 would make a difference? After repeatedly getting the same answer from those with no skin in the game I pulled the trigger and yes the improvement was readily apparent.

If I remember correctly and have not mixed you up with someone else, your MacBook Pro setup was running on WiFi, whereas the SonicTransporter is now hard wired. This is one significant difference.

[Still-One]

Peter
Good memory. Yes, there was no way I was hardwiring my laptop to my 2-channel system, That is like hanging fuzzy dice on the rearview mirror of a Porsche.