[Jeff Owen]

From what I have read, Jitter seems to be the most discussed issue or figure of merit when evaluating a transport (DVD or CD) with external DAC (or DAC within a processor.) Furthermore, DVDs typically seem to have "higher" jitter compared to audiophile CD transports.


Given this, my question is as follows: If Theta Casablanca II implements a jitter jail (taking the data stream from the transport into buffer memory, and reclocking to minimize time offsets or jitter) then it seems that the effects of jitter should be negligible, and it should not matter what kind of DVD player, CD player, or transport that you use, essentially all should give you similar results for 2 channel audio and 5.1 movies with the jitter jail????


Anyone care to comment? I ask, because if one makes the investment in the Casablanca II, does one need to spend that much on their DVD source for high quality 2-channel audio and DVD?


Thanks

Jeff

 

[Steve Bruzonsky]

My educated guess is that having a high jitter reduction surround processor will to a great extent, but not necessarily completely, obviate the sonic differences among CD/DVD transports. I once chained two Camelot Dragons and my Sony DirecTV digital coaxial sounded better using only one Dragon - the additional digital cable in the link can also cause some jitter as well.

My advice is get the Casablanca 2, then demo a few good DVD players including one with excellent built-in jitter reduction like Proceed or Theta David and tell us what you find and make your decision.


------------------

Steve Bruzonsky

 

[aerialman]

I agree with Steve. I cant hear any differences between my LD/CD player, my CD changer and my dvd player all going into a Meridian 861 (it has jitter reduction, like the CB2 will have). however Ive heard somepeople with 861s say that they do hear a little difference, so its probably wise to see if you can arrange a few demos. for the record, my sources are a sony es 5 disc changer from a few years ago, a pioneer elite dvd/ld/cd player (used really for lds now) and the panasonic progressive dvd player that has jitter reduction built in (or so they say).


- Jerry