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Has anyone had dCS Elgar/Purcell Upgrades done?

I purchased older models of the dCS Elgar and Purcell on the used market. I am very impressed at the improvement in the sound of CDs in my system. I am now considering purchasing a Verdi Transport, but I must upgrade both the Elgar and Purcell units to take full advantage of the Verdi's DSD upsampling.

I have a number of questions:

Has anyone else had the upgrade done?
Since I did not purchase the Elgar and Purcell from a dealer, how can I arrange to have the upgrades done?
About how much will it cost? (the Elgar is about 5 years old, the Purcell about 3 years old).
How long does dCS take to do the upgrade?
What's the best way to ship them to the UK?

Any insight is appreciated.
davemon
davemon OP
7 posts
 
Thanks AudioGuy123. Your answer was very helpful. Based on what I saw on the ASLGroup website it will cost about US$7000 (including shipping) to get both units upgraded to current spec! I haven't had my math verified by anyone at ASL OR dCS yet. Thanks for the info. about using the Verdi without the upgrades. That wasn't an option I had considered.
davemon OP
7 posts
 
Update: I verified with ASL the cost of upgrading both units including shipping is US$7050. It takes about 3 weeks and must be booked in advance using paperwork ASL can provide to you.
punwin
6 posts
 
I have Delius/Purcell/Verdi and had the Delius and Purcell upgraded. The combination - playing CD upsampled to DSD or SACD - is excellent. When I used to go back to vinyl whenever I could I now barely bother (and that's with a Nottingham Analogue Hyperspace).

My feeling about dCS is that they really do transcned the issues that noramlly relate to hi-fi. With much equipment you have to accept a trade off. One thing will offer better staging, while another with give better bass and so on. With dCS the machines work and play the music. Nothing less.
glreno
224 posts
 
Agreed. I just got my Elgar and Purcell back after upgrading. A stunning improvement in smoothness, liquidity, and detail. I would highly recommended it to anyone with the older gear.
mark7767
57 posts
 
I live in England and have the Purcell, and looking for an Elgar. I called dCS to check n upgrades and they said that there is no upgrades to the unit per se; rather it is an exchange program that, depending on s/n, they deduct the value of the older Purcell, Elgar from a new unit. Expect to get about 2-3 thousand off a new unit. Call them in England and they are very helpful. I called them for advice and they were straight forward and looked uo my S/N to check on any repairs and its birth date.
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