Better performance than Emm Labs standard DCC2 at what cost?

I am not so sure about the steady improvement in digital reproduction and that a five year old design is necessarily inferior to more modern designs.  Most companies must rely on currently available chipsets for the DAC.   When an old chip is no longer available, a new design is a necessity, regardless of whether or not the result is improved sound.

These chips serve a huge range of devices, not just DACs in home gear.  The "improvement" in a chip may have nothing to do with sound, often it means smaller and uses less power, both qualities being hugely important in portable digital devices (phones, ipod, etc.).  There are manufacturers who horde old chips that have been out of production for many years, because they think those old chips sound much better, and use them in their premium products (e.g., Zanden and Naim).  

I would not automatically think that your current DAC is outdated.

I sold my DCC2 2 years ago and regret doing so. At the time the DCC2 was far better than any DAC I auditioned. I had both the DCC2 and my current Modwright Transporter at the same time and while the DCC2 presented more detail, I kept the Transporter for financial reasons. I doubt DAC technology has improved to the point where the DCC2 is inferior to any DAC except the most costly.

I'd look into the Lavry DA924 / DA2002, which happens to fall under the $10K mark.

-Ed

I don't think there is ANY kind of component where one can confidently say one surpasses another-- it is a matter of system matching, personal preference, priorities, etc.  There are a lot of top contenders as well as different variables to consider: only CD or other formats important (SACD or DVD-A or Bluray Audio); Multichannel?

There are a number of top models where the transport and DAC are combined, not necessarily to save money, but because the designer thinks that separating the DAC from transport degrades performance.  The wonderful sounding machines from Burmester and Meridian come to mind  (I own the Naim CD555 which is an all in one CDP (power supply is separate) which I also think is terrific sounding).  There are multi-box, single brand choices like the DCS gear which sounds pretty good, in my opinion.

In a completely different direction, I have heard exquisite sound from digital system built around the Audionote (uk) DACs, particularly the high end models.  These are extremely expensive DACS which are, in terms of the digital circuitry, deliberately primitive and simple -- not only no oversampling, but, basically no filtering as well. 

There are many possible paths to attaining great sound.

Only way to find out for sure is to hear for yourself.  DA934 or DA2002's aren't very common though, unfortunately.

Maybe at a meet somewhere.  Perhaps at the next CanJam?

If Lavry's coming, we'll have to get them to bring their flagship DAC's. 

-Ed

I would stick with DCC2, which is a fine DAC.  DAC technology has mostly gone through lots of sideway moves, often even backward moves, in the last 5-6 years IMO.  Unless you can audition a specific replacement side-by-side with DCC2 and prefer it, I would look at the rest of the audio chain instead, including cables.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjkurita 

Apple Lossless Toslink from my Macbook right now because my CDSD is broken. 

That's a damn shame.  Until you can run the DAC from a transport of similar capability, all the cables in the world won't solve your listlessness 

Once the transport/digital cable/DAC is brought to natural high-resolution, I like neutral pure silver cables to let everything through..

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjkurita 

Cables...  I'm not sure how much I believe in cable changes.  ALTHOUGH, changing a crappy video cable with a Signal Cable one made a HUGE difference on my TV.  It would be interesting...  I am using 47 labs single strand copper ICs and they have always served me well.  What kinds of cables would you recommend, Jon?

 

Maybe I'm just a little restless.  I feel like I want to make a few changes. 

How's your power? Audience Adept Response Teflon conditioners are good, good stuff. I've also heard very good things about the RSA Dmitri and Maxim. As for cables, I don't think you can go wrong with Stealth Indra, or Kubala-Sosna Emotion or Elation.

Well, not to cause you upgrade-anxiety, but  the SE versions of the DCC2 and CDSD are much better. They lose most glare or shrillness, but keep all the EMM resolution. I had my DCC2 updated by EMM when they offered it a few years ago.

I love my EMM gear. If you want to improve things, try to trade up.

One more thing, I once tried the PS300 regenerator with my Stax Omega/007t system and it hyped-up the sound to an aggressive character (and made it run a lot hotter) and I sent it back.

Read up on other audio sites about people's experiences with power conditioners first--they are kind of controversial.

I just have been using a Hydra 8 (original 2004 vintage) and I like the sound of it very much, subtle but nice.

For me, the EMM SE upgrade was well worth it (necessary, in my view).

Another alternative is to sell all your current EMM stuff and buy an EMM CDSA-SE (there is one for ~$5300 for sale now if you surf around).