Any better DAC then dCS Scarlatti?

I would suggest that the Wadia 922/931 with modifications from Great Northern Sound belongs towards the top of the list. It has taken me over a year to begin to appreciate what the Wadia DAC does, and I remain amazed. For me, the Wadia is such an essential part of a system that brings me into a performance with the greatest musicians. The Wadia will not add anything to the performance, but extracts all the detail about the music, the technique, and the venue. The Wadia is absolutely realistic when it comes to dynamics, image size, detail, and soundstage. It does all this without exaggeration.

As an example, I am a bit of a pianophile, and I like to hear the differences in technique. With Richter, he was a big man and used his entire body to play the piano – it can be quite aggressive and even violent. Horowitz has a bell-like quality to his right hand that remains clear even at high-speed. Bolet coaxes notes from the piano, Pletnev lobs notes from the piano – each has a characteristic intonation. I am now listening to Schubert’s Sonatas by Uchida. She is such a cerebral pianist, and can play with such light touch, tenderness, and beauty.

Wflm, Based on your list, you should definitely start with the new speakers. Seeing where you are at, there is no way you would be disappointed. The Indra to the Time will be such a tremendous leap.

The Spectral may be a very good match, but don't be wed to your amplifier. Go listen to several others, and bring 1-2 in for home demo once the speakers are broken-in. If you can't find a better amp, then that issue has been settled. The amplifier is the key to Avalon speakers. This cannot be overstated.

Next you can find the perfect DAC that is synergistic with your speaker/amplifier interface. If you stay with Spectral, then you would probably want something not as crystaline, such as DCS, Playback, EMM, Weiss, etc. If you go with a new amp and preamp with more midrange presence but not the final word in clarity, then the DAC might be Wadia or Esoteric.

Cables should come last to fine-tune the sound.

Enjoy the journey.

Wflm, That is a small room. The Indra may be the largest speaker that will work. Even though the Time footprint is not much different, it will behave sonically as a much larger speaker. If the bass is not properly controlled, the Time may be less satisfying than the Indra. I would recommend you give Avalon a call to ask their advice.

For anyone about to plunge into a multi-box ultimate digital front end, my advice is to strongly consider a single-box solution.

Now, let me qualify my statement. Whether 3 or 4 or 5 boxes, you are really opening a can of worms. For instance, I have spent more to set-up my 4 boxes than the cost of the original 4 boxes. Digital is INCREDIBLY sensitive to vibration and power. I think a truly optimized single box can be more satisfying than 4 unoptimized boxes. Consider yourself warned.

Now, let me say that it was totaly worth it for me. It was not easy, but now that the money pit is almost filled, I can look forward with immense satisfaction. Everything required proper attention to detail and system matching to create something truly special. My DAC continues to amaze me day after day, and it keeps getting better with time.

So what is the moral of the story? There is no best DAC. And when you you find the best DAC, make sure you enjoy it, because there will be a new best DAC in 6 months.

Another lesson is how amazing the number of small companies that are producing state-of-the-art DACs at very high price. You need several hands just to count them.

Murataltuev, I don't know if the Wadia is the best. I do not have an adequate basis for comparison. I like what I hear, and I've stopped looking at DACs. All I'll say is that the Wadia is very detailed, and with the right supporting synergy, very natural.

I was listening to Glenn Gould playing Bach on the piano this morning, and it was like he was in the room, humming along (literally, if you know Glenn Gould). I could picture the different positions of his hands and fingers while he played. I was not overcome by excessive detail. It just sounded real.

I want a DAC that gives me everything. I'll figure-out how to deal with the information, but you cannot create something that does not exist at the start of the chain. As my system improves, the origin of this detail becomes more obvious.

I've moved along to power conditioning (due to arrive next week), and then will make a definitive move on power cords/cables next year or so. Supporting components are huge for system satisfaction.

Murataltuev, The Wadia does not have dynamics of vinyl. The dynamics come down the chain, with the BAT pre and the Troy. Someone in another thread likened the Wadia to a scientific instrument. It was a put-down, but it depends upon your perspective. The Wadia adds nothing. It just extracts the data. It is up to you, what you do with that data.

Personally, I do not always care for the dynamics of vinyl. It can be too much, resulting in a loss of realness. I can get increased dynamics from my pre with different tubes. It gives a different perspective. The layering comes from the Troy. Not even the pre can give the optimal layering.

The ultimate DAC may be your castle in the air. Cables and power are important, but the pre may be key for the sound you seek. I'd be curious to know what you think of top preamps from BAT, Joule, VAC... Even more choices if you are willing to go with unbalanced, which I am not. The Troy may be another piece to get you there.