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In Reply to: RE: did anyone answer your initial question? posted by Frihed89 on May 24, 2009 at 00:56:34
From my understanding (speaking to several & internet searches) I have concluded the following;
The factory 1.x DAC does not have a transformer coupled interface -- instead its capacitors.
The factory 2.1 DAC & the kit 2.1 comes with the TRANS-404 or TRANS-450 transformer (standard mumetal core)
The factory 3.1, 4.1, and 5.1 Special comes with the TRANS-496 (super mumetal 250 core)
The factory 5.1 Signature comes with the TRANS-497 (super mumetal 250 core & silver wire)
Now I can only assume (by lack of response) that hardly no-one has coughed up the mega-bucks to swap out the kit transformers for the TRANS-496 or 497. footsurg (from this forum) has and raves about it -- but he did do several mods about the same time...
But, from what I understand making the swap gives at least an equal amount of improvement at swapping out the output transformers (on the 2.5 C kit) to ultra cores. I cannot speak from experience since my kit 2.5 C is in the process of including it all from scratch.
But, one may think to compare to the factory offerings -- as the factory includes the same TRANS-496 with the 3.1, 4.1, and 5.1 Special, but throws in advanced output transformers with the 4.1 and 5.1 levels. Thus, as one climbs the ladder you end up with more and more of the expensive goodies and a resulting improved sound... Thus, if you plan on going all the way, at some point you will have to cross paths with the 496 or 497, the factory does it earlier rather than later, thus, I can only assume this early inclusion of the 496 speaks to its importance within the chain.
Thats my conclusion (right or wrong), so mine are on order (don't make the sticker shock any better though)
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