Hi Chad,
I could not have a home demo with Scarlattis due to some last minute issues but had a brief listening them at the dealer, also listened Puccini cd player. First I listened to the cd player, it seemed nice for a single unit player. Then Scarlatti combo including the clock. I might say I have not heard anything sounding similar or close. It was totally different. I have not yet listened a digital source so real in focusing and sounstage. It killed the cd player easily so Puccini reminded me like a good cd player but Scarlatti was something else. I really would like to try it at home if i can.
Do you have any experience/views with Paganini combo? In case Scarlatti exceeds my budget I might think of Paganini which is also expensive but considerably lower than Scarlatti combo.
Finally, what do you think of Esoteric combo d3/p3+clock, have you compared it to your DCS gear?
Have a nice listening!

number95 March 13, 2008 16:48

Mines are Svetlana 6550C. They have a perfect balance from bottom to top. I also used Tungsol 6550s with my old VT-200, I also liked them.

Happy listenings. (I will inform you about my DCS Scarlatti experience)

number95 February 17, 2008 15:26

You are right about B&Ws. I tried various amps, my old VT-200 was not a match. I tried Halcro DM-68 did not also work, together they were too analytical and lacked the midrange. Krell EVO-400 seemed to be ok, but high frequencies were too laid back. I really liked Classe Omega but something was still missing. Then Ref-610T. It is a different chapter. My dream of having the magic of push-pull tube amplification and at the same time absolute control and grip over my B&W came true. The only problem is mannnyyy tubes all over the place! 23x2 tubes are making the listening room a bit hot! In winter it is good but in summer, I need to turn on the air condition (a very silent running one). Every rose has its thorn :-)

number95 February 16, 2008 14:23

I understand your philosophy of listening to music and I respect. It seems this DCS gear is giving you even the smallest detail but without getting lost in details and without forgetting about listening to the main theme of music. I can really think about it even if it is very expensive.

I will listen to Scarlatti in a couple of days at home with my system and it will be a true test (much better than listening to at the dealer's system). I will also listen to them as directly driving my tube beasts and try to see what is changing (but I must confess ARC reference series has a synergy when being used together). However, I need to use in any case a seperate preamp since I also have my analog source.

My current cd player is a magical sounding Audio Aero Prestige SACD player (it has also a tube output and built in line stage, before Ref-3 arrived, I was using it as a preamp also. But Ref-3 is a totally different class), it really sounds like analog. It is a bit at the warm side of the music, not the most detailed cd player that I listened to but has a beautiful soundstage and a bit romantic with the music. But with some sort of music, it is sometimes less exciting or lacking some dynamics and attacks. So I wonder a very detailed and dynamic but true sounding digital source might be a magical companion with my ARC gear.

People say DCS are really cable dependent (digital, power cords etc) and it is a hard task to get optimum efficiency from DCS combo, do you have similar findings Chad?

My speakers are B&W Nautilus 800. I use Transparent Reference connectors and speaker cables, Shunyata Anaconda cords.

number95 February 15, 2008 17:14

" Puts an end to any discussion about digital vs analogue."

I am really curious to listen to Scarlatti trio, if your statement is really based on comparing your Scarlattis with finest analog gear. I am arranging a demo for next week and really want to see how these DCS sound like. I used to listen to older version (Purcell, Elgar etc) but found those a bit too analytical and cold sounding to my taste and they were miles away from giving the most natural and live presentation when compared to a hiend analog gear.

I am also an ARC fan as you Chad. Currently I have Ref-3 Ref-610T combo. And who knows, maybe after listening new DCS I can be a DCS fan as well.

Happy Listenings.

number95 February 15, 2008 08:47