dCS Elgar Plus DAC, DSD Capable, Super Rare

**Please click here to check out our newly launched SkyFi Audio website with additional items for sale**

This particular sample came to us from the original owner in its original box complete with the original owner's manual, product literature, a very well made remote, coaxial cable, and 1394 (firewire) cable. 

It’s in near perfect condition without any scratches or signs of misuse.  

The display is super healthy and bright and all buttons work as they should. The remote has been fully tested as well to ensure it is fully fucntional.

It’s important to note that this unit can be used a preamp as it has full function volume control, and is also fully controllable via the remote.

An excellent review and breakdown of this rare component piece from the UK's renowned What Hi-Fi Magazine:

In 1996, dCS released the £8500 Elgar digital-to-analogue converter, claiming it was the first domestic high-end DAC capable of playing 24bit/96kHz files.

The Elgar was upgraded over the next few years to accept 192kHz music feeds and, in Plus guise (introduced in 2000), gained the ability to play DSD through the newly added IEEE1394 connection. The Elgar Plus stayed in production until 2007.

Never heard of IEEE1394 aka Firewire? It’s a type of digital connection. At the time it was assumed it would become the default way to transfer encrypted DSD data streams.

If that upper limit of 24bit/192kHz sounds a bit basic for a high-end product, think again.

While current number-crunchers can routinely replay music streams with even higher sampling rates (384kHz is pretty common), look at the music that’s actually available and you’ll realise that such recordings are extremely rare. Even 192kHz files are nowhere near as plentiful as we’d like.

There’s no shortage of connectivity, even if there are obvious omissions by modern standards. The Elgar has coaxial in both RCA and BNC variants, opticals (a conventional Toslink and the rarely seen ST variety), a pair of AES/EBUs and Clock BNCs – the latter just in case you have a dCS outboard master clock handy.

Bluetooth was barely a thing back then, so its omission is understandable - and there’s no sign of the now commonplace USB-Type B.  

Build quality is superb. Every panel lines up beautifully and the casework oozes substance and quality. The same can be said of the controls, particularly the rotary dial with its smooth movement and high precision feel.

Allen Boothroyd – the designer responsible for the look of Meridian products – did the original exterior design. While the appearance has dated a little, it’s hard to deny it remains clean and unfussy.

The LED display remains a model of clarity, even in a bright room. It’s limited in the amount and type of information it can show, though, which means it’s a pain to work through the rather comprehensive set-up menus.

The minimalist front fascia layout makes the Elgar simple to operate in day-to-day use, but feels clumsy when combinations of buttons have to be used to change the settings. But you’ll only really go through the whole set-up procedure once and then just dip in on the odd occasion, so it isn’t a major issue.

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This item will be professionally packaged and insured for safe transit to your home. 

Please click here for detailed specifics regarding our specialized packing process that separates us from the rest.

If we don’t have the original manufacture's packaging, we use heavy duty double ply corrugated boxes with Instapak expanding foam custom inserts.  In many cases this has proven to be better than the original packaging.  We also use high quality fiber reinforced tape to seal our packages.  Lightweight items will be bubble wrapped and shipped in a high-quality box. 

This item is available for pickup in Ridgewood, NJ or Union Square, NYC (with convenient parking in the building).

NJ Residents or anyone picking up without a resale certificate will need to pay NJ Sales Tax.

Use the Buy It Now button and we will cover the PayPal fees.

Thanks for looking and be sure to call or text 646.852.2073 with any questions. 

Please also click here to visit our Audiogon store to see the rest of the items we have for sale.

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WHO WE ARE 

SkyFi Audio is a small startup business specializing in the purchase, reconditioning, and reselling of select high-end audio equipment.  We only buy equipment the we admire and are passionate about. No mid-fi, no gimmicks, no junk. 

Each piece of equipment is cosmetically restored and fully tested in our well-equipped lab by an engineer with 30+ years of experience in the HiFi world. If it does not meet or exceed the original manufactures specifications, it will not be sold.  We are very selective about the equipment we purchase, focusing on mostly analog, high-build quality, American, and European built units.

Through our sister company, which is an authorized dealer for McIntosh, Audio Research, Sonus Faber, ClearAudio, Pro-Ject Audio Systems, and Sony ES, we have access to OEM parts, service, and support.  If you are local and looking for new equipment from the above-mentioned manufacturers, please drop us a line as we can arrange both sales and professional installation in the tri-state area.

PURCHASING GUIDELINES

We do not accept or review any offers that do not go through the official Audiogon system. We have too many items for sale and it’s nearly impossible to keep track of offers outside of the official system. Please don’t message, email, or text any offers. 

If you do not see a “Make an Offer” button, it means we are not considering any offers on that item.   

PAYMENTS

We prefer working through PayPal which allows you to use a credit card or bank transfer. We do not charge extra for any payment fees if you purchase the item at the asking price.  You can also send us a personal check (which will need to clear before shipping), certified check, money order, or wire transfer. International clients without access to PayPal should use a bank wire transfer. 

If you are picking up an item we do not accept PayPal.  You must pay in person with cash, certified or bank check, or wire transfer.  If you make a PayPal payment and are picking up the item, it will be returned. 

TRADE IN POLICY 

We accept trade-ins of equal or lesser value under certain conditions.  Simply ask and let us know the exact model, condition, and the accessories that are included (such as the original box, remote, cables, manual, etc.).  We will only consider high-end equipment from mainstream manufacturers such as McIntosh, Mark Levinson, Audio Research, Krell, etc. and will typically pass on displays, projectors, receivers, dated surround processors, and mid-fi equipment of any type.  We will offer a fair value for your equipment, but keep in mind we are running a business and will need to be able to resell the equipment at a profit after investing a great deal of time and resources in testing, certifying, repairing, cleaning, and packaging the incoming equipment.  If you are looking for top dollar we suggest attempting to sell it directly to an end user on your own.

SELL US YOUR GEAR (Working or Broken)

We will also purchase your used or broken gear and arrange pickup if you are in our local market. Just drop us a note for a quote but be sure to include the condition and what is included. 

HOW TO VISIT US                                                                                                        

We are currently operating from a residence in Ridgewood, NJ.  You are welcome to make an appointment if there is a piece of equipment you would like to see in operation before or after purchase.  We have a well-equipped, dedicated listening room with tons of equipment of all makes and models.  We are not a store, so please don’t make an appointment if you are just curious as to how a speaker or piece of equipment sounds.  In essence, no tire kickers please.

If you are in NYC and cannot make it out to Ridgewood, we can arrange pickup in Union Square (14th Street) after the purchase.   You can call or text 646.852.2073 with any questions or to schedule an appointment.  We can also arrange to install, calibrate, and tune the gear in your listening room if you are local to the area.  This is super useful when purchasing large speakers or heavy amplifiers.  It is also great for ensuring your new turntable is setup correctly in its final resting place.  

Thanks for looking and please click here if you would like to receive a list of the equipment we receive from time to time.  We promise not to bombard you with junk email.

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