Bricasti M1 vs DCS Debussy

@audiotroy regarding your concern re dCS

 they are however one of the very few companies that have created a truly modular product and have created an upgrade path

On average dCS platforms are good for about ten years or so, which is a lifetime in digital years -- not sure we should expect a company to offer to bring all of their 10+ year old kit up to latest technology and so on -- transport suppliers change, standards for interfaces evolve etc etc

Anyway what dCS will do is offer very reasonable trade in on upgrading to newer tech, and they stand behind and support all of their older platforms including providing warranties on those traded in via an accredited dealer

All by way of saying to the OP -- don't be concerned about being left out in the lurch if you do choose to go in that direction and buy through a dCS dealer if at all possible

Yes Folkfreak used to sell DCS however a 10 year life cycle is not realistic for their products as they seem to come up with a new series way sooner than that.

In terms of trade ins all dealers generally offer them, remember sold DCS in the past, there never was a sanctioned trade up program through DCS the dealer made the trade in and so any other product would easily apply.

Facts are facts DCS has never offered to rebuild for a nominal cost one product and change it to a current series.

Aqua is one of the very few digital companies that makes 100% obosolence based fully modular designs. 

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ Aqua Dealers

The dates below are the dates over which the product was actively being supported (i.e. via new software releases, in most cases it remained a sold product for a couple of years after that)

Elgar/Delius 1996 - 2007
Scarlatti 2007-2013 (still sold through 2015)
Puccini 2007-2013 (still sold through 2015)
Paganini 2007 - 2014 (still sold through 2015)
Debussy 2010 - 2018
Vivaldi 2012 - present
Rossini 2015 - present

Source: dCS website, software history

So seems that their life cycle is 8-10 years

Okay Folkfreak that still proves there products are still obsoleted.

Even so how can you compare a still obsoleted DCS product to one that is not, you are still tallking a company that is still not actively creating a true path to keeping the same product current as technology advances.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ

Thanks all thus far! I take no offense to a dealer's opinion. I am just trying to get the best unit possible within that $10k price range and not having to worry about upgrading a whole unit in 3 years. The inclusion of streaming capability within the units is also a plus and an area I would like to head towards. It is nice to see that companies are embracing upgradability. 
Please keep the advice coming,

Thanks!