Hi, where do you live? I'm in austin, Tx my local dealer has both Ayre and dCS. I have a Puccini and U Clock (thinking about stepping up to Paganini or Scarlatti soon)
Don't discount the sound quality out of a quality transport like the Puccini offers. It is still better than computer based audio...I have both with my set up...
As far as warmth on the dCS, I'm running Transparent cabling and Shunyata power cords on a Grand Prix rack...this really helps.
Sorry I can't help you out on the Debussy compare... |
Brian Berdan from Brooks Berdan LTD brought over a dCS Puccini, U- Clock and Debussy and we listened carefully to all possible configurations. We kept our opinions to ourselves until the session was over. Somewhat surprisingly, we both concluded that the Puccini/U-Clock was the superior combination even when using the Puccini just as a DAC with computer audio. Go figure. And as Jfrech points out, with the Puccini you also get a world class transport. dCS has got something special going on with the Puccini.
The Puccini/U-Clock was more organically nuanced, warmer, slightly more holographic with tightly articulated bass.
All that said I preferred the ARC DAC8, especially for the money. At least for now.
I have my eye on the new ARC REF DAC Digital Media Bridge or a dCS Paganini stack once they update.
Full disclosure, I have gone over to the dark side, having digitized my vinyl and CDs. |
Hi on the paganini, what do u mean "once they update...". Thanks (private mail ok) |
Thanks for the insights, very helpful.
Khrys: Whith the Debussey, vocals moved to a secondary presentation to the instruments in the soundstage...vocals were more in the background, smaaller and less organic, so much so compared to the DX5, it would be very hard to chose the Debussey for me...but lower frequencies, attack and transparency were simply amazing. Did you hear a difference between the Puccini using the DAC with computer audio vs the Debussey....did you notice what I did with the Debussey and was the Puccini and clock better...did vocals expand, take center stage and become for organic? If so how significant was the change. Thanks in advance for your thoughts...did decision to come;-) |
I am also thinking of using the Puccini and clock for computer audio..I already have a good transport and did not really want to change it....but I would, if the Puccini was better than the Debussey as a DAC for computer audio. But the Debussey disappointed on vocals, at least the way I like to listen to music...so now, I am concerned that the Puccini and clock DAC may suffer the same presentation of vocals as the Debussey.
I started off wanting a separate DAC to my transport, so that as DAC's improve over time, I could continue to upgrade the DAC without having to throw away my transport if it was integrated...more costly. |
Jfrech, the Paganini Upsampler needs to accept 32/384 from all inputs and allow defeat of the automatic DSD upsampling in case you prefer native resolution, like me. After leading the charge they are ossified into a late 20th century perspective. Like so much of the EU.
I hear they're abandoning federalism and entering the 21st century. However meekly. |
jon47...what is your system...that might help a little. I'd be surprised if a non dCS transport/Debussy/Uclock would beat a dCS Puccini/Uclock...plus with the Puccini/uclock you get native SACD, which is the stregnth of the dCS platform for sure i'd say...it just depends on your software.
Also the Puccini has a few more digital filters, including the new apodizing filter...than the debussy.... |
Jfrech, native DSD with dCS is incomparable. Upsampling all PCM to DSD is not necessarily preferable. I've found listening to PCM at native resolution through a quality DAC superior to the processed complexity of upsampling. 16/44 sounds contrived processed to 24/96. It sounds cartoonish pushed to 1/2.82Ms/S. IMHO. |
Jfrech, please tell me after many years of experince, can you tell which is best power cable for Puccini ? Also which interconect can I use between dcs and REF 5 ? |
Hi, my opinion here...I like the Shunyata Anaconda or the King Cobra (what I am using currently). The Purist Audio Designs Conurus or Ltd should be very good also for power...
As for interconnects, I like the Transparent Ref, Ref XL, or Ref MM2 (only their mm2 versions) |
Thank you.
I just bought ML Ultra MM2, hope to be good for Puccini. Also for curiosity I will buy one LessLoss Signature, everybody have best words about it, also seller accept return if you are not happy with it !
I just find best solution DIY for power cord, testing in my system today, it is fabulos, used Furutech F50 series as connectors and secret wire made in some way, and sound it is best I ever heard ever. In test was : PSA AC12, Cardas GR, Shunyata Python Helix, Furutech Powerflux Cord Cable, Nordost Valhalla. This DIY cable was better in all ways than all I mention here :) |
Transparent Ultra mm2 should be killer good. Make sure you give it some time to break in if it's new... |
Hi Razvanvrs,
I also have a similar experience with DCS Puccini power supply. I am using a DIY cable at the moment. LessLoss Signature also didn't work goog with Puccini and U-Clock. But my Puccini sounds the best when L reverses with N on power input. Not as specified by the manufacturer. Did you try to swap N and L contacts inverting the schuko plug? |
Hi Razvanvrs,
I also have a similar experience with DCS Puccini power supply. I am using a DIY cable at the moment. LessLoss Signature also didn't work good with Puccini and U-Clock. But my Puccini sounds the best when L reverses with N on power input. Not as specified by the manufacturer. Did you try to swap N and L contacts inverting the schuko plug? |
