I have both a DiVA CD92 (ringDAC) player and a Sony SCD777ES (the big top-loader weighing about 40kg). Whilst SACD is clearly ahead when comparing dual-layer discs, using either player for the CD layer, the Arcam is better on standard CDs, at least as far as resolving fine inner detail is concerned. Example: a group of unison violins sounds like a number of distinct contributions on the Arcam, but 'N violins' on the Sony. It's subtle, but I believe that Arcam is using the best available DAC architecture in this player, and the low-level linearity and resolution is just what one might expect.
The Sony does very well on image spaciousness, placing sources very well in three dimensions. I hope to be able to use the wonderful transport of the Sony and feed the SPDIF output into the RingDAC converter - but that will require substantial ingenuity and modification to the Arcam player.
Arcam no longer have rights to use the RingDAC, it seems, as they have switched to a different architecture using Wolfson DACs in some multiple-differential scheme. No doubt it's good, but DCS, the inventors of the ringDAC scheme, have pretty good arguments about why it's a good solution (it originated in radar systems, where ultimate resolution is rather more life-critical than in audio!). I regret this change, and also that there has never been an affordable DAC using this technique - which is why modding the CD92 seems a good idea.
If anyone here knows how easy/difficult it will be to make an alternative digital input for the CD92 onboard DAC, I'd be very interested in some feedback.
In the meantime, I have no hesitation in recommending any of the Arcam players - unless you want a particular 'type' of sound, they are very truthful, accurate, and satisfying to listen to.
(rest of system is NAD S100 preamp, own passive high-impedance crossovers to twin Audio Synthesis Desire amps, own-design speakers using Bandor wide-bandwidth drivers and low crossover freq. to transmission-line bass) Not standard, but good enough to intrigue most visitors!
cheers
Miles
The Sony does very well on image spaciousness, placing sources very well in three dimensions. I hope to be able to use the wonderful transport of the Sony and feed the SPDIF output into the RingDAC converter - but that will require substantial ingenuity and modification to the Arcam player.
Arcam no longer have rights to use the RingDAC, it seems, as they have switched to a different architecture using Wolfson DACs in some multiple-differential scheme. No doubt it's good, but DCS, the inventors of the ringDAC scheme, have pretty good arguments about why it's a good solution (it originated in radar systems, where ultimate resolution is rather more life-critical than in audio!). I regret this change, and also that there has never been an affordable DAC using this technique - which is why modding the CD92 seems a good idea.
If anyone here knows how easy/difficult it will be to make an alternative digital input for the CD92 onboard DAC, I'd be very interested in some feedback.
In the meantime, I have no hesitation in recommending any of the Arcam players - unless you want a particular 'type' of sound, they are very truthful, accurate, and satisfying to listen to.
(rest of system is NAD S100 preamp, own passive high-impedance crossovers to twin Audio Synthesis Desire amps, own-design speakers using Bandor wide-bandwidth drivers and low crossover freq. to transmission-line bass) Not standard, but good enough to intrigue most visitors!
cheers
Miles