So let me give a bit more details about my listening tests and my gear set up:
Server used through Ethernet output = Melco N1 / Preamp = Accuphase C2850/Power Amp = Accuphase A70 / Speakers = Vivid Audio G3. Current DAC = Chord DAVE
- Test 1 : NB plugged to Melco / NB plugged to my Trinnov through AES / Trinnov plugged to Vivaldi DAC through AES. NB clock slaved to Vivaldi and Trinnov clock slaved to NB clock
Compared to my current set up, more organic, more naturalness , less digital harshness. In terms of clarity and micro details quite similar ( DAVE is a champ in that area). TBH , satisfied of my new set up but no "waouh" effect.
Later during the day arrived the clock and the upsampler on loan for testing...
- Test 2 : Let s add first the Master clock ==> NB plugged to Melco / NB plugged to Trinnov through AES / Trinnov plugged to Vivaldi DAC through AES. NB /Vivaldi DAC/Trinnov clocks slaved to the Master Clock.
"Waouh" effect is starting ! Focus, Image, Soundstage improved substantially. Naturalness, Timbre got better as well. To be picky, PRAT and transparency could be even better.
- Test 3 : Let s add the Upsampler ==> NB plugged to Melco / NB plugged to Trinnov through AES / Trinnov plugged to Vivaldi Upsampler through AES/ Upsampler plugged to Vivaldi DAC through DUAL AES. NB /Upsampler/Vivaldi DAC/Trinnov clocks slaved to the Master Clock.
As we say in French : " la claque !". this was the Waouh effect. I never ever could imagine I could get such a sound in my room. ( TBH as well, this is my first try in the digital "high-end" territory)
All the qualities previously described were there even better + PRAT + Transparency.
As it was starting to be late , I switched to headphones listening ( same setup but without the NB and the Trinnov .Melco plugged directly to the upsampler+DAC+Clock) . My headphone being Focal Utopia and the amp being my same Accuphase preamp which is having an (excellent) headphone output.
Well the Utopia is a very revealing and transparent headphone . What can I say ? It was simply my best headphones listening moment since...
So, to summarize,according to my early observations , to get the best of the Vivaldi DAC , the clock and the upsampler are essential ! Those are not the cherry on the cake, it s part of the cake !
The issue now is that it s a substantial investment despite the attractive discount (and time limited) . I have one week to take my decision ! But won't have too much time for listening during the week unfortunately.
Alex
PS : i liaised with DCS to try to find an optimal solution. No answer yet.