DCS Scarlatti

Esoteric combi 03 sounds dry to my ears, Scarlatti never

as said here, the resolution is incredible but always with some kind of "sweetness"

I own Puccini + clock and when I heard 2 hours (on other system) the Scarlatti I couldn't believe my ears ...

I also compared the newest Emm Lab XDS-1 to Puccini + clock ... maybe better bass with the Emm but on SACD the Puccini wins for definition, precise placement of the musicians on the stage

Did you compare on RBCD? The Puccini falls noticeably short compared to the XDS1 there ime (no opinion on SACD as that's irrelevant to me - software selection too limited).

Also, make sure you are using the 102_002 firmware (November 2009) on the XDS1 as anything before that isn't a good indication of what the XDS1 can do.

for classic music SACD is not irrelevant at all , it's almost essential I would say
and the choice quite large and expanding every day

personally I don't understand how is it possible to spend so much money in our hobby and renounce to SACD which brings a much better resolution

yes I compared the XDS1 also on a RBCD, 1st of Brahms, Chicago/Barenboim
I found it's maybe better in the low frequencies but at the end it's a question of tast, the Emm Lab is sounding darker than the Puccini, the Puccini seems to have more life.

That being said I am not sure that the Emm Lab was burned in, I will have occasion to compare both again in January

Budt, very good decision, I believe!
Scarlatti is too expensive. I bought because had a chance to get used with great discount and because of SACD support.
Actually I changed Emm for Scarlatti and going to keep Berkeley because for high resolution files I prefer Berkeley.
Bryan, I totally agree with Clavil.
dCS is on warm side!
I even feel at the beginning too warm and sweet!
And at the same time very high resolution.
So, it is much warmer than Emm and much higher resolution.
This combination is unexpectable!

thanks Murataltuev for the assurance of warmness of Scarlatti, I may need to audition again in the dealer's shop. Nonetheless, I recall last time what I heard was consistent with your comment, just I'm not sure myself.

Yes, Clavil, SACD is a must for our classical music lover. But it also limit our choice of player very much.