dcs Elgar plus vs Wadia 27ix vs Aero Capitole

I've played in the past with a ensemble dac/player combination. I thought there will be not that many improvement by adding a pre-amplifier, i was wrong.

After adding a CAT SL1 ultimate mkII dynamics and 'air' where improved much, also the bottom end was much more dynamic.

Roberto

I had different expirience with dCS Elgar plus. It surpased my system with ARC REF3 to my big surprise. That is why I was wondering about other DACs with variable output.

I compared directly connected dCS Elgar plus to Capitole SE into CAT JL2. dCS Elgar plus was much better. Anyone was able to compare dcs Elgar plus to Wadia 27ix?

I once directly connected my AA Capitole Mk II directly into an Ayre V-5xe power amp than added Ayre K-5xe and Hovland HP-100. The use of either pre proved to be much better than the direct connection. this means: the onboard pre in the AA is nice but not mind blowing. Can´t report on dcs or Wadia. Try to get CAT SL-1 Ultimate MK II and together with the AA and your JL-2´s you´re done.

I've played in the past with a ensemble dac/player combination. I thought there will be not that many improvement by adding a pre-amplifier, i was wrong.

After adding a CAT SL1 ultimate mkII dynamics and 'air' where improved much, also the bottom end was much more dynamic.
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Robert,

Of course this is entirely an example of the preamp adding
euphonic distortion. If the CAT SL1 were the proverbial
"straight wire with gain" - then there would be no
difference whatsoever. [Presumable the DAC was capable of
driving the amplifier input w/o any need for gain or
impedance matching]

Now the fact that you prefer the music with the CAT SL1 in
the chain is entirely legimate. If you like it - then
keep using it.

However, it does demonstrate a case where the addition of
a "signature" or distortion to the signal actually makes
the music sound better.

If the music has "air" with the CAT SL1 that it doesn't have
without the SL1 - then clearly the SL1 is *adding* that
"air" to the signal.

Dr. Gregory Greenman
Physicist

I have personally used the Wadia 25 DAC driving several amplifiers as well as the 861 doing the same. It has never been obvious that the preamp was adding anything but more distortion. However, in the case of the Threshold T2 preamp, there was clearly an improvement in sonics across the board vs. the direct conection method. Sonically, this sounded like distortion had been removed from the signal as well as greater dynamics added.

It sounds to me like Dr. Greenman is totally missing these possibilities. A preamp that doesn't allow high frequency grunge to pass to the amp as well as one that is capable of greater dynamics can and do improve sonics and don't clearly add anything to the original signal.I suggest this is the case here.

Emil Gottfried
EE