Does anybody own or have heard the DCS Delius ?

After a long and scrupulous search I have chosen the Delius/Purcell combo to partner my heavily moddified Philips CDD882 transport (with the famous cdm1 mkII drive mechanism). I compared this set for several weeks with ML 390S as a cdp and as a transport with the ML360 DAC, ARC CD3 cdp, and for a short time with Krell SACD and Electrocompaniet ECD-1 (just to be sure I was not going to spend too much ;) The ML gear sounds very very good, and the 390S/360 excellent. Still I preferred the dCS/Philips combo because to me it sounds just more analogue and relaxed than all the others. So no regrets since i bought dCS some 9 months ago (second hand, that is).
In the meantime i replaced the Philips by an even older Studer A727 because this professional machine can be slaved to the Delius as masterclock (and is equipped by an even better cdm1 drive mechanism). This improves the sound further. For the first time my digital front end surpasses my analogue turntable in every respect. Internal modification is in progress, can't wait to hear the results!
The rest of my set: ARC LS25 II, Spectral DMA150, Kharma Ceramique 1.1. MIT Oracle interconects and Siltech/FIM AC chords on seperate group.
I prefer using the Purcell, but IMHO it's sheer nonsense to say in general the Delius sounds harsh without it. As always: system quality & synergy rulez.

My conclusion: this is a DAC for people who LOVE music.

cheers

After a long and scrupulous search I have chosen the Delius/Purcell combo to partner my heavily moddified Philips CDD882 transport (with the famous cdm1 mkII drive mechanism). I compared this set for several weeks with ML 390S as a cdp and as a transport with the ML360 DAC, ARC CD3 cdp, and for a short time with Krell SACD and Electrocompaniet ECD-1 (just to be sure I was not going to spend too much ;) The ML gear sounds very very good, and the 390S/360 excellent. Still I preferred the dCS/Philips combo because to me it sounds just more analogue and relaxed than all the others. So no regrets since i bought dCS some 9 months ago (second hand, that is).
In the meantime i replaced the Philips by an even older Studer A727 because this professional machine can be slaved to the Delius as masterclock (and is equipped by an even better cdm1 drive mechanism). This improves the sound further. For the first time my digital front end surpasses my analogue turntable in every respect. Internal modification is in progress, can't wait to hear the results!
The rest of my set: ARC LS25 II, Spectral DMA150, Kharma Ceramique 1.1. MIT Oracle interconects and Siltech/FIM AC chords on seperate group.
I prefer using the Purcell, but IMHO it's sheer nonsense to say in general the Delius sounds harsh without it. As always: system quality & synergy rulez.

My conclusion: this is a DAC for people who LOVE music.

cheers

I can't tell you about the current generation but up to about a year ago the Delius was a very mechanical and hard sounding DAC. People use the Purcell as a band-aid with the Delius to round off its horrible and very digital sound. This wasn't a DAC for people who understand music. You're better off looking for a used Meridian 566 or a Meitner Bidat, both will sound better than the Delius or the Delius/Purcell combo!

Mama

triple that.... the dcs gear is by far the finest out there,imho, and you won't go wrong with the dilius. if budget allowes ,i would spring out and get the elgar plus-- an amazing unit.

I second that. I own the Verdi Purcell, Delius and very happy with the performance. the best part is the fact that you don't feel that you need to upgrade just like Cfjohn said. Go for it, great gear that comes with great support from the factory.

Thanks....Cfjohn !!!!!!

I've had the dCS Delius DAC and Purcell up-sampler for about 4 years and the Verdi transport for two. The sound is exceptionally transparent, neither harsh nor lush and includes detail missed by most other systems. It doesn't have digital fatigue. The Delius has 6 filters to adjust sonics. I'd greatly recommend the Purcell to up-sample to 176 or 192 for some of the best digital sound you will hear. Later series will decode SACD when played on the dCS Verdi transport. Up-grading is expensive. I'm happy now so will probably not upgrade unless there is a major industry shift to SACD. Hope you can autition the dCS equipment. Chuck