Best digital stream player

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.

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?

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.

One of the big reason I post the thread is that I want to know how good my Linn Akurate Digital Stream player is when comparing to other brand.

Linn is well know for making good source like LP12 and CD12. Linn will stop making cd player this year and only making Digital stream player. Linn said my $6,800 Akurate DS sounds better than their $20,000 CD12 which was one of the best cd player in the world. The Klimax is Linn's top of line DS player now and there are some many great reviews. It almost make me feel that Linn Klimax DS is the best digital source out there and my Akurate Ds is the 2nd best.

HongKong is a tiny place, but they sell more high end audio gear than North America. I ordered a book called "CD bible" from HongKong which recommend 800 audiophile CDs. It also list the top 10 CD player for different price category.

1)DCS Scarlatti USD100,000.00
2)Simaudio Andromeda RS USD40,000.00
3)PlayBack Designs MPS-5 USD20,000.00
4)Naim CD-5X USD6,000.00
5)Shangling CD-T 300SE USD4,000.00
6)Audio Note CD 1.1X USD3,500.00
7)Micromega CD 30 USD2,000.00

It didn't mention Linn DS player, so I want to know how good Linn Klimax/Akurate DS comparing to DCS and Playback design.

As to Naim HDX, it seems to be a easier setup than Linn DS player.

At hte en d of the day, we are looking for people who has listened to, or owns both a DS (Klimax in my case), and another top end digital source, so he can provide feedback from listening experience.

Problem is there does not seem to be a lot of these people out there.

Don't get me wrong for this I'm going to say. I do want to buy a Klimax (provided it does sound at least as good as my Esoteric X01-D2), but I will need to be sure about it. Will not be buying blind, and without a home audition first.

Linn is a two extremes brand. Either you love it all over, like if there was nothing else out there, or you just dislike it. Among these last ones, it has a reputation of being quite overpriced, and that it never got the digital quite right. Like per instance the CD12, which was, for what I've read and hear, a good CD but quite inferior to other at the same price level. I tend to believe this about the CD12. Would they discontinue the best digital source in the world, even if the streaming DS's, which has still limited reach among hifi fans, was the only thing superior out there? My best economical based estimation is no way... My thinking is that they were falling behind on digital playback, and that was making them loose all time, all Linn system loyal customers that came to listen to other similar priced CDPs. That is why they probably came out with that (what seems to be marketing driven) decision that they discontinue CDPs cos streaming is just best than any other thing out there. I have to admit it is a quite agressive move, that time will tell if we can also call brilliant.

Now I would really doubt the Klimax (or Akurate for that matter) does sound better than a 100.000 USD or 60.000 USD CDP. Of course Linn will say it does. Can't blame them for that. And I would love it to be that way. But my thinking is that there is no way. Of course this is only my best guessing based on anything you name but listening to them, so not worth much.

Lets hope there is someone out there that has had a chance to listen to both, DS and some other top end digital, and is willing to share experiences.