DCS Scarlatti

WOW!!! That was fast...
Thanks for posting your opinions.While the Scarlatti is out of my league I think I want to try the Berkeley.

Chadeffect,

I once used Esoteric P03+D03+G0s and found it have high resolution but at the same time clinical so I just afraid dCs go the same path especially dCs is using the Esoteric drive too.

I like the emm Labs sound, I just not satisfy with its reliability.

Murataltuev,

Congrat to your new purchase.

Bryan

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