In response to above Q directed to me: For a while I ran a Esoteric X-03-SE through the DCS upsampler and DAC, but most of the time I just ran it direct.
I ended up getting rid of the Esoteric (though it is a terrific CDP, one of the best I have owned). I would say the Esoteric through the same DCS equipment was slightly better than the Duet. But, as is noted, I sold it and have gone a long time without a CDP (though I am looking right now for another one - Suggestions?).
In the past few years I have had a lot of good digital (Resolution Audio, Wadia, Audio Aero, Esoteric, EMM Labs, now DCS) and I am hard pressed to find a SIGNIFICANT improvement by these players over the Duet into the DCS. The convenience of it is just wonderful.
As a reference, I have run several good preamps in this system set-up (BAK, Cary, Aesthetix, Jeff Rowland, Krell). The speakers have pretty consistently been Watt/Puppy 5.1s and the amplification has been mostly Krell FPB 300-C (just offered as a reference to get a better feel for the sound I like and my basis).
I ended up getting rid of the Esoteric (though it is a terrific CDP, one of the best I have owned). I would say the Esoteric through the same DCS equipment was slightly better than the Duet. But, as is noted, I sold it and have gone a long time without a CDP (though I am looking right now for another one - Suggestions?).
In the past few years I have had a lot of good digital (Resolution Audio, Wadia, Audio Aero, Esoteric, EMM Labs, now DCS) and I am hard pressed to find a SIGNIFICANT improvement by these players over the Duet into the DCS. The convenience of it is just wonderful.
As a reference, I have run several good preamps in this system set-up (BAK, Cary, Aesthetix, Jeff Rowland, Krell). The speakers have pretty consistently been Watt/Puppy 5.1s and the amplification has been mostly Krell FPB 300-C (just offered as a reference to get a better feel for the sound I like and my basis).