analogue vs digital components, what upgrades do you consider the most worthy of your money?
I have also heard a DCS 4 box Scarlatti CDP versus an Electro EMC-1UP, and it's the only time that the Electro has sounded broken.
Careful I might take offence at this statement 
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Was the DCS system really that much better 
I have always thought that the main difference between digital sources was the quality of the analogue output stage which is why the EMC1UP scores so well having a fully discreet class A analogue output .
The DCS Scarlatti 4 box CDP costs upwards of £45k and is probably as good as a CDP gets.......so it's no disgrace that it comfortably out-performed the Electro. It was played through £30k worth of VTL amplification and £31k Focal Mystros, The addition of the separate Clock, makes quite a difference.
For me, it was like the sort of difference between a Linn MDS and KDS/1.
Ps. It was not really fair to say it sounded broken, as it imo is as good as it gets for the money it costs.
Cno, now I challenge you to challenge yourself. the differences were most likely imaginary. Differences between adequate digital players are below audible levels.
If they are, there are a lot of people with a great imagination. 
I challange you to try this for yourself at a Linn dealer....the people on here who have actually tried it, would claim to have heard the djfference. 
I would gladly take the challenge if it was blind listening and included the Linn people taking it themselves! you can come along, too!
I would gladly take the challenge if it was blind listening and included the Linn people taking it themselves! you can come along, too!
Sounds like a plan.........but in the meanwhile, try what I suggested.
When you hear about me skiing, you'll know I'm fit to travel.
I have also heard a DCS 4 box Scarlatti CDP versus an Electro EMC-1UP, and it's the only time that the Electro has sounded broken.
Careful I might take offence at this statement .
Was the DCS system really that much better
I have always thought that the main difference between digital sources was the quality of the analogue output stage which is why the EMC1UP scores so well having a fully discreet class A analogue output .
The DCS Scarlatti 4 box CDP costs upwards of £45k and is probably as good as a CDP gets.......so it's no disgrace that it comfortably out-performed the Electro. It was played through £30k worth of VTL amplification and £31k Focal Mystros, The addition of the separate Clock, makes quite a difference.
For me, it was like the sort of difference between a Linn MDS and KDS/1.
Ps. It was not really fair to say it sounded broken, as it imo is as good as it gets for the money it costs.
That's OK then, 
I suppose at £45k the DCS gear has every right to sound considerably better
That's OK then, I suppose at £45k the DCS gear has every right to sound considerably better
I would take the KDS/1 over it, all the same.
It would be interesting to compare a Linn Klimax DS against a Beresford DAC or a 2nd hand Benchmark DAC.
It would be interesting to compare a Linn Klimax DS against a Beresford DAC or a 2nd hand Benchmark DAC.
With what transport? Off a computer?
Sure, off a computer.
If the Klimax DS were in an all Linn system, it wouldn't be the digital source that was letting the side down. It'd be the amp and speakers.
If the Klimax DS were in an all Linn system, it wouldn't be the digital source that was letting the side down. It'd be the amp and speakers.
I have always said that I didn't get on with the rest of Linn kit. Their Active stuff is much better, but so expensive, that for me, rules it out. I much prefer their older stuff, which I own.....Kairn / LK100 and Karik / Numerik.
The best digital sources I have ever heard are made by the German high-end firm MBL and Japan's Accuphase.
The MBL transport and DAC from its top range (there are three ranges I believe) are horrendously expensive but played through (ahem) about 200k worth of MBL speakers and amps sound absolutely magnificent. Mind you, all MBL's top gear are HUGE and very heavy, so they won't suit many ordinary rooms (and floors, I daresay). And the styling (mainly black with gold buttons, switches and knobs) also might not appeal .
Accuphase's kit looks much better, is more room-friendly but is also very expensive. Their SACD players and transports are second to none - certainly I could quite happily live for a long time with any of their digital sources. Until then, though, I'll have to be content with my (much cheaper) Cambridge Audio 851/Stream Magic setup...
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Cno, now I challenge you to challenge yourself. the differences were most likely imaginary. Differences between adequate digital players are below audible levels.
If they are, there are a lot of people with a great imagination.
I challange you to try this for yourself at a Linn dealer....the people on here who have actually tried it, would claim to have heard the djfference.
"Everything has been said before, but since nobody listens we have to keep going back and beginning all over again." André Gide