Originally posted by merlin
Interesting Henry, what have you been doing with the dCS kit
I think it's probably what I haven't done to it yet that's the more pertinent question.
Originally posted by michaelab
In fairness Henry you've got one of the most expensive digital front ends around so I don't think it's fair to use your example. IMO you could get as good or even better for much, MUCH less money. I don't want to have a dig at your gear, just that I don't think it's representative. Both WM and merlin have digital rigs that aren't exactly cheap but they cost a fraction of what yours did and for a cost/cost comparison are much more representative.
The dCS is still small change in comparison to some bits of digital replay hardware I could mention off the top of my head e.g. top of the range Krell, Mark Levinson, Boudler.... How much was the Metronome set-up that Titian was looking at?
I'd cenceede and agree that at full price, the dCS boxes don't really represent value for money, but then one could level that comment at most pieces of high-end audio kit above about £2k retail over I guess. I think it's a case of, can you get **exactly** the same for less and "off the shelf to" boot? I bought the dCS (and Accuphase CDT) second hand, so paid at least half full retail. I bought the T/T brand new, but even if you compare the expenditure in a "what I spent" context, then the digital front end is still more expensive by £1k compared to the T/T.
WM's set-up isn't really representative IMO

. It's not exactly "off the shelf" spec is it? The un-modded Wadia boxes I first heard nearly 2 years ago now were certainly nothing special to these ears, but now a days, that's a different story.
I'd guess that Merlin has probably spent the same amount as I have on the CD playing hardware i.e. CDT/DAC. OK, the Tact RCS2.2 does a lot lot more in the same box than the dCS boxes put together, but it has a slightly different approach and set of priorities.
I'm not looking to box swap, but any suggestions for better value CD front-end suggestions than what I have would be most interesting to read about. I've personally yet to find an "off the shelf" solution that does everything that I like about the dCS, granted there are boxes which do certain things better for less, but for me they seem to be a compromise in one way or another.
