Modwright Transporter VS Opera Droplet 5.0 CDP.

I have not heard the Droplet, so cannot comment there, but the MWTP is an outstanding digital front end and would be very stiff competition. If you went that route you could use any decent transport through the DAC section of MWTP. I use an Oppo with excellent results. I have a few friends with MWTP's. I have heard it there head-to-head with an Electrocompaniet EMC-1UP, as well as two DACs (MHDT Havana, Empirical Modded Northstar via Pacecar) . The MWTP sounded better in all three comparisons, and my friend sold his EMC and now uses an inexpensive Oppo as through an Empirical Pacecar as a transport. Another friend (TVAD) thought his Esoteric X03 edged out the MWTP by a small margin in slightly superior resolution. Perhaps he'll chime in here. I sold my Modwright Platinum Signature Sony player when I got my TP because the TP sounded better and was more versatile making the player an expensive redundancy. Disclaimer: Dan Wright is a client of mine. You can also find a whole lot of input on tube rolling in the MWTP on the Modwright Audiocircle forum under the thread on that subject, which is very long (I can save you some reading if you want the Cliff Notes version). The tube choice does make a big difference, and the current hyper-mod to the power supply also is a very nice upgrade (I believe this is on all the current production MWTP's but check me on that). The TP also adds the versatility of streaming various Internet music sources, like Pandora, and online radio stations.

Chillinimrod- Recommend careful "due diligence" on CDPs sourced form China. Make sure you can get effective timely and economical support. Also note that MWTP can form the basis of a very flexible network music system w minimal user computer knowledge required, if that's an issue.

Jax2- I'd love to get the Cliffnotes on the tube-rolling for my MWTP.

08-16-09: Jax2
Another friend (TVAD) thought his Esoteric X03 edged out the MWTP by a small margin in slightly superior resolution.

Just a couple small revisions. I own an Esoteric UX3-Pi, not an X-03. One is a universal player and the other is an SACD/CD player. To my knowledge, the SACD and CD audio sections of these players are identical. However, in the event that they aren't identical, I wanted to specify which player I own.

Also, in addition to better resolution, the Esoteric has better bass extension and definition, and the overall tonality is slightly better balanced. That said, the differences are slim, and by my percentage scale, the Esoteric is better by no more than 5%. Of course, my percentage could easily be someone else's 25%, so take it as you will.

Bottom line, the MW Transporter is outstanding.

The TP also adds the versatility of streaming various Internet music sources, like Pandora, and online radio stations.
Jax2 (Reviews | Threads | Answers)

This is how I have primarily been using my TP...as a streaming device for Pandora (the comparisons used to arrive at the conclusions regarding the TP vs. Esoteric were using redbook CDs with the Esoteric as a transport connected via its spdif digital output). In my home, for whatever reason...perhaps due to my wireless network (two Apple Airport Express devices), I have issues at times with the TP timing out and re-buffering.

I thought it's worth mentioning, as the wireless streaming is very nice to have, but the bugs are not worked out, IMO. Again, I am not laying blame on the TP, but the fact is that I don't know yet where the problem lies.