Digital Drive: Second Impressions Toshiba SD4960 by BobM

Did a bunch of listening last night to the Toshiba with a good audio buddy. We tried 2 scenario's:

(1) Toshiba vs. Toshiba as transport feeding the modded DI/O: CD sound was incredibly similar between the two. The 4960 got a little hung up on complex passages and massed strings, like on the Dvorak 8th symphony. There was a subtle compression going on, but the top end was clear and extended, but could sound a wee bit digital on shrill stuff. The bass was tonally the same as the DI/O with maybe a hair less extension. Altogether they were too close to call on simple music - only the complex and BIG stuff showed its flaws/differences.

(2) Toshiba vs. Cal Las DX2 as transport feeding the modded DI/O: Now there's a difference! The Toshiba is noticeably light in the mid bass. There's a warmth missing. The DX2 brings more body & weight to the music with a more natural string sound and more palpability and believability to the instruments. The Toshiba's top end now sounds more digital than the Cal DI/O combo.

(3) SACD: The Toshiba may need more break-in here to sound better. Comples and shrill stuff (McLaughlin/DeMeola/DeLuicia on Friday Night in San Francisco) were too lightweight and hurt the ears a bit. Not at all like the Sony 9000's SACD playback. Hopefully analogue and power supply mods, as well as more break in will help this.

That's all for now.
Bob