Listening Session - Dacs/CDPs

[DaveF]

So I've spent the last 2 hours comparing the Meridian and Arcam transports into the Meitner DAC. Swapped around the SPDIF cables too just to tick that box. I couldn't hear any differences at all. I made sure to play a variety of music that I know well, from sparse arrangements with vocals to large symphonic works.
However the biggest surprise of the lot was when I connected up the Arcam's DAC output to the amp. Did my best to level match when I switched inputs on the Jadis from the Meitner to the Arcam. I couldnt hear any difference on the few tracks I've tried so far. So the Arcam sound remarkably similar to the Meitner to my ears. That Arcam is a well regarded player anyway so no big shock that it sounds great.

The Lampi is going back in shortly so I'll put that up against the Arcam DAC and do an Arcam/Meitner transport comparison too.

[jkeny]

Interesting results, Dave, keep us posted & thanks for the update.

[Sligolad]

Just proves once again for me that the source is the most important piece in the chain, all the best DAC's, Amps, Speakers and cables can never put back what's missing.
If you are really set on CDP as a source Dave then it would be worth hearing Simon's Wadia in your system, it was the best match for CA audio as a source I have heard so far.
Would love for you to hear a good CA source someday particularly with HiRez and DSD on your system but we might completely corrupt you in the process, I expect some of that classical stuff might really be captivating though.
Thanks for a great day on Saturday and if you get a chance let us know a little more about the first Vivaldi piece you played at the beginning of the day.

[Adrian]

On a slightly different point... I only recently discovered that my CD player... Unison Research CD... has a digital input (coax I think). Which means that I can use the DAC in the UR and then output to the amplifier. I only discovered this recently when doing a bit of perusing on 'de Wam'. Hmmmmm..... I might just have to give this digital stuff a go after all? ;-)))

[DaveF]

Update on the dCS

It's looking likely that the problems we had with the dCS on Sat were indeed a settings issue. 'Dual input' option needed to be selected on the DAC as well as recommended options selected on the upsampler. With the wrong options selected it can sound very digital and grainy I'm told. We hadnt a clue what we were doing with it on Sat to be honest.
In a way I'm glad and it sort of makes sense as any of us that have heard the dCS in the past know that its a very fine player. Someone else might get a chance today to look at these settings as I no longer have the units.

So....the dCS may very well come back with a sucker punch yet.

[DaveF]

This dCS has been tested vs the Lampi 4 by another user with the dCS coming out on top. So, looks like its back in the game.

[sebna]

Do you mean in Dublin or somewhere around the world?

[DaveF]

Do you mean in Dublin or somewhere around the world?

The previous owner here in Ireland

[Terry]

Do you mean in Dublin or somewhere around the world?

The previous owner here in Ireland

Would be interested in knowing what the previous owner of the DCS kit is moving to. Had the pleasure of listening to the two items in situ. May be to do with Premier Grand Cru quality now available at Cru Bourgeois prices?

[howlindawg]

Update on the dCS

'Dual input' option needed to be selected on the DAC as well as recommended options selected on the upsampler.

This would be the biggest factor.
At 192kS/s the digital signal is split between the two AES inputs.
If dual AES is not selected you'll only be getting half of the digital signal and it'll sound awful.

The dCS is not particularly complicated to configure but it's not plug and play either.