The best no-compromise digital options?


If we take a look at the three digital playback formats most common today (CD, SACD and DVD-A/V), what would you consider the 3 top of the line options for each format.

My thoughts would be:

CD
Zanden Model 2000P/5000S
Burmester 069
Soulution Audio 740

SACD
dCS Scarlatti
Esoteric P-01VU/G-0Rb/D-01VU
The upcoming Wadia 971/932/922

DVD-A/V
Goldmund Eidos Reference
MBL 1622A/1611F
APL Hi-Fi NWO-3.0 GO SE
rhagen

Showing 2 responses by kops

just a remark please,
dCS (any) is better to enter it also in CD format.
The ring dac is red book at first, of course dCS excells too in SACD.

As for dvd-a it's dead to invest so much money on a machine and the already dvd-a library is too small. On the contrary red book cds are millions and sacds almost 6000 and growing.

For me we should also add the ability of High resolution 24/96 files!!!

My votes for top cd/sacd is
dCS Scarlatti
Esoteric P03/d03/rbclock
dCS Paganini
Burmester 069
Spectral 4000 pro - dCS Puccini+Paganini master clock - latest Wadia.
Accuphase dp700
Meridian 808.2

Sorry no tubes in the source
no snake oil non-oversampling dacs.
Brianherlihy if you use the asychronous usb connection with your computer and use the plain usb cord; test another usb cord (like furutech transparent..) and enjoy the difference.

ALso on your mac install purevinyl.