Hello from Melbourne,
I detect a rather large dose of uncertainty, preconception and insecurity (defining characteristics of an audiophile!) with this relatively controversial topic\dilemma of alternative digital playback systems. Allow me to highlight a portion of my experiences.
About a year ago, I embarked on replacing my seven-year old system, comprised of a CEC CD transport and a YBA PCM only DAC. At the time, being fully aware of the rapidly evolving nature of DACs (much more than transports), I purposefully did not overspent on the DAC.
Over this period, I listened to and auditioned a wide range of components, (most of them in my listening room but NOT in an A\B comparison setting), by various manufacturers encompassing various philosophies, theories and implementations. Amongst others, I experienced the sonic personalities (without necessarily intending to buy ) of Rockna Wavedream, YBA Signature, Allnic D-5000, Vitus RD-100 with AYON transport, dCS Rosini but not in my system, Light Harmonic Da Vinci (with STAX earphones, not my ML CLX based system), the new Marantz SA-10 S1, Lampizator Atlantic and T+A PDP 3000 HV SACD\CD\DAC. For reasons beyond my control, I could not audition the Aqua Optologic DACs and the Metrum Adagio.
My final decision came to be between the Lampizator Big 7 with the R2R PCM engine and the T+A PDP 3000 HV. As I could not audition the Big 7, I extrapolated that it would be superior to the Atlantic. I will not elaborate on the attributes of all the above-mentioned components but I should at least offer my thoughts on the two finalists, the Atlantic and the PDP 3000 HV. I had two sessions of each but not in a direct A\B comparison.
As I am not interested in computer-based music, files, streaming and servers AND as I do NOT consider CD\Redbook to be inferior as a medium (music production techniques and practices are far more crucial), I was only listening to CDs with (Atlantic plus CEC) and both CDs\SACDs with the PDP 3000 HV.
The Atlantic was beguiling, involving and vivid and the Big 7 would have been my choice, had I chosen the DAC-only path AND had I not auditioned the T+A PDP 3000 HV, which, apart from its sound, persuaded me to culminate to an all-in-one (CD\SACD\DAC) solution. There is no need to mention the uncompromising approach to the engineering and execution of the various stages\domains comprising this unit. My ultimate criteria were sonic and synergy related, coupled with my subjective preferences\priorities. As a player and amateur recordist, I value naturalness, linearity and a realistic presentation of how sounds are propagated across the soundstage.
With the PDP 300 HV in my system, the portrayal of music (at very high SPLs) was totally non-fatiguing, deeply detailed and natural\linear. There was an unobtrusive vividness without any perceived coloration, bloating, exaggerations or other artefacts. That ever-slight layer of “glassiness, abrasiveness and whitishness” that can often be detected on many digital playback components, was totally absent. Low frequency detail, inflection and definition were exemplary and the highs were rendered with body (but extended) and naturalness. Those subtle, microscopic inter-harmonic connective tissues (I am using some poetic licence here) of solo and clustered instruments gave music an elevated beauty and finesse. Of course, the CLXs were the perfect catalyst for such a manifestation. Spatial resolution and ambience retrieval together with image density\saturation (if on the recording) were omnipresent, and in a metaphorical and paradoxical sense, the unit itself was just not there. The music, rhythmically and melodically, flowed unhurriedly and unforcefully, similar to the Atlantic.
In conclusion, I would like to link my opening remarks with the facts that I witnessed. Namely, jettison any preconceptions and stereotyping about converter types (Delta-Sigma\R2R), sampling\filtering approaches, separates\all-in-one, valve\solidstate, manufacturer “spinning”, reputation and adopt a non-biased, open-minded approach. Engineering and implementation should be the only arbitrator.
I am, therefore, looking forward to receiving my own unit next week. The search is over and, unlike life itself where the journey is more beneficial than the destination, in this case I can assure everybody that the opposite is true. I apologize for the length of this post.
I also have to re-emphasize that these were not direct comparisons and that no denigration of the other components should be inferred, just because I omitted mentioning their plentiful strengths. My comments are based on how they performed in my system, taking into account its own distinct characteristics and my own personal preferences. I wish not to be misunderstood.
Cheers, Kostas.
