Any better DAC then dCS Scarlatti?

Rainer - appreciate the update on the Trinity, but alas no indication of whether they will/may/do come Stateside....
At somewhere between $40 and $68k - best pricing indications I've found online for the Trinity - they should be defining the pinnacle....that's ~twice to thrice the Scarlatti DAC. As the asymptote runs...

Shifting gears...I've had the Esoteric D3 and Playback Designs MPS5 on audition this weekend. First off, there is a clear, substantive positive difference between these two and my current dCS Delius - in MY SYSTEM AND ROOM (YMMV). The gains in imaging, placement, depth of soundstage are apparent and to my surprise non trivial. Player seating positions both forward/aft and side to side are decidedly more defined. This was particularly apparent on Carla Lother's "Far Away" [100 Lovers, Chesky records 24/96, foobar, lynx AES16, CARDAS HD26 to AES-EBU Dual Wire]. As for which is better or worse between the Playback and Esoteric, ahh neither. I now appreciate what Classic was referring to when he said "orthogonal". These DAC's accentuate different attributes in replay. For me, and again somewhat unexpectedly, I preferred the Esoteric. This reflects the premium I place on holography, an area I perceive the D3 shading the MPS5 as a DAC.

I did take the chance to spin a few SACD's on the MPS5 - a no cost option with the Playback Designs, if you will ;-) - and it rather underscores the strong relative value this player represents. Such an option with Esoteric is another $17k (the P3)... Suffice that if you were looking for a single box solution with DAC/SACD/CD capability, the PD makes a very strong case for itself. Remarkable.

For anyone about to plunge into a multi-box ultimate digital front end, my advice is to strongly consider a single-box solution.

Now, let me qualify my statement. Whether 3 or 4 or 5 boxes, you are really opening a can of worms. For instance, I have spent more to set-up my 4 boxes than the cost of the original 4 boxes. Digital is INCREDIBLY sensitive to vibration and power. I think a truly optimized single box can be more satisfying than 4 unoptimized boxes. Consider yourself warned.

Now, let me say that it was totaly worth it for me. It was not easy, but now that the money pit is almost filled, I can look forward with immense satisfaction. Everything required proper attention to detail and system matching to create something truly special. My DAC continues to amaze me day after day, and it keeps getting better with time.

others that sound different the sound of which some may prefer or not, but i doubt objectively
"better". the dcs is certainly one of the best but individual bias is probably the biggest determining factor at this level.

The APL NWO-4.0-SE doesnt use any low pass filters and is phase-linear in the audio range, it uses the second generation 32 bit AKM devices and has 20 differential DACs per channel.
From what I can see the GTE uses OpAmps, and the NWO has a Differential tube stage.
But technical talk is worth so much, maybe a shootout can be arranged instead?

And dCS uses 40 dacs (total) and not OEM but fully upgradeable and future proof.

And for Scarlatti or other top digtal gear owners that can accept extrenal master clock prepare for take off with the Esoteric rubidium clock it's fully compatible.
Then use top anti-vibration isolation, and top power cords and see (or better listen) constant performance improvement.
Of course this applies to all top gear.

What I mean is if you have Scarlatti or D01, or Trinity GTE, or any other true top digital gear first try to drink all the juices of it and then consider other dacs.
Every top dac has hidden many potentials all you have to do is to unlock it!

And yes a shootout in the same system with the same conditions is the best way, everything else are "poet's inspirations.."

Now regarding modifiying than constructing
Imagine if someone can upgrade or modify f.e. a Scarlatti dac than to buy an already modified APL........