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Best digital stream player

No matter how expensive any cd player is, it is just do a best guess of what is on the cd. I don't think cd player will be completely gone in a couple years because LP is coming back. But I feel the digital stream player have big advantage over cd player and all audio company will come up with their new digital stream player in the coming years. Digital stream player either use usb or network cable to directly read music file from PC/file server and are slowly adapted by audiophiles.

Digital stream player is still new to lots of people. Which one is the best digital stream player in the market?

1)DCS Scarlatti upsampler
2)PlayBack Designs MPS-5
3)Linn Klimax DS

Or is there any other newcomers better than those three?
yxlei
4musica44107
520 posts
 
Pubul57 et al:

I did compare the Naim, just with its own excellent internal DAC and without one of the optional external power supplies, to a MAC tied into Wavelength DACs costing up to $17500. The Naim was better every time.
4musica44107
520 posts
 
BTW, the Naim is easily software upgradeable, along the lines of Anthem's excellent HT preamp-processors, thereby negating the "yesterday's news" pitfall. True, it won't clean your house, wash your car, or cook your dinner (I believe those deficiencies are being addressed in their next software upgrade - ;-> ), but your music will sound so good to you that you will not care about your dirty house, dirty car, or growling stomach!

Best Regards,

Steven
4musica44107
520 posts
 
Pubul57 et al:

I did compare the Naim, just with its own excellent internal DAC and without one of the optional external power supplies, to a MAC tied into Wavelength DACs costing up to $17500. The Naim was better every time.
yxlei OP
31 posts
 
is it true DCS Scarlatti upsampler(USD80,000.00) is the best digital money can buy?

I have a Linn Akurate DS player. I see rave review for the Klimax DS(top of line) player in Linn forum. But that is Linn forum, so I am wondering if the Linn Klimax Ds sounds as good as DCS Scarlatti, Playback design MPS-5, or Naim HDX?
eelii08
169 posts
 
Yxlei, not sure if DCS is the best, never had a chance to listen to it, but for that kind of USD, it should be one hell of a piece for sure.

Re the Klimax DS, I'm looking at it very closely. I just started today a new thread about it, where I ask some related questions, under digital. It does not seem to be a lot of people who own this one or have listened to it. And yes I have read fantastic feedback from all Linn systems owners, but I was also interested in opinions of people who has auditioned it in a non Linn system.

AS per the Naim HDX, I would assume the Linn is superior. NOt only much more expensive, but also with a fraction of the features. Actually the LInn seems quite overpriced for what it is: a DAC with just one input and two analog outputs, integrated power supply... I would hope it produces sounds that stand up to its price tag.
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