JOB, BelCanto, Perpetual, MilleniumDACs?

I recently tried out the P.T. P-3A and while the resolution, bass, noise floor and dynamics were excellent, tonally the unit never came around. Maybe I didn’t wait long enough but I didn’t want to wait any longer than the 2 weeks I gave the unit. I decided to purchase the Bel Canto which is what I really was looking for prior to being talked into the P-3A. I have not listened to the MSB or the EVS Millineum DAC so can’t comment on either of those. The Bel Canto is everything others have said. Very sweet and extended highs, more like analog than digital. Superb resolution and good bass. It works very well in my system and has taken away much of the forwardness. Timbre and air around the instruments are very well rendered with this unit. In addition the digital edge noted before is gone which is a big deal to me. I can’t imagine that there is anything in this price range that is BETTER though maybe as good. All said above, this is with the stock cord and a JVC 1050 CD as transport. I am sure there is tweeking to do which will improve on the above. I am still deciding what power cord to get for it.

Tubegroover, what digital IC are you using, did you try toslink connection? many people say they hear big difference between coaxial/toslink connection

Hi Sam I am currently using a Cardas Lightning coaxial cable. I do plan on trying the toslink with a DVD transport. Have heard it isn't too good on CD transport. Wes Phillips in his review recommends a toslink at least 2 meters, I have time to sort it all out. Am just marveling at how good this unit is.

Tubegroover, have been waiting for your impression of the P3A and BelCanto! I like you am looking for a cd upgrade (I have a CEC TL5100 transport with a DPA PDM2 dac). So you are impressed with the BelCanto, BUT I have to ask, 1. Have you heard SACD yet and 2. If so, how close does your combo compare with SACD? Its just that Sony have released their cheaper SACD player here (Aust; about US$700) and I dont have the opportunity of demoing any gear firsthand. Any thoughts/experience?

Hi Mark No I haven't heard SACD and probably would not comment on it UNLESS I could hear it in MY system. The upsampling units are really the only way to go for me at this time until this whole matter on DVDa and SACD gets sorted out. By most accounts I have heard, SACD is THE best format sonically but I for one don't believe it is going to survive as a mainstream format in the long run. I have never been a big advocate of digital after living with analog for so long. The timbre correctness, and high frequency extension of analog over digital has always been much too obvious. The Bel Canto while not analog really is quite impressive and has changed my outlook on digital as a whole, especially at the price point. I would highly recommend it for anyone who is on a budget and waiting for the whole digital cluster to sort out. I never really considered SACD. I am by no means an expert on digital and contrary to all I have read, what I have actually listened to over the years has never made me want for it. I now envision digital truly equaling the virtues of analog, it is going to happen.