Have a listen to a proper old school R2R ladder DAC. Imo the BB pcm63 is probably the best. The imaging of these old dacs has always surprised me.
Check out a Theta Pro VA if you can find one.
Funny you say that. I have a Linn Numerik (I’ve had a few of them), the early ones came with a pair of socketed PCM63 chips, the majority of them have PCM1702 chips on little adapter boards that just plug into the chip sockets. There’s not a vast difference between the two chips, both sound superb, very natural, open and detailed, great imaging, the PCM1702s are perhaps a little brighter but it is subtle, they actually sold them as an upgrade kit. I love the way they sound, they’ve seen off much more modern DACs. The different power supplies make more difference than the chips. My Numerik is an early one (serial number below 150) but has had both the PCM1702 (Nuki upgrade) and a slimline brilliant PSU... and a full recap. I’d have to spend a lot to better it... of course, the Rega ISIS I mentioned above is better... but it does cost a lot.Have a listen to a proper old school R2R ladder DAC. Imo the BB pcm63 is probably the best. The imaging of these old dacs has always surprised me.
Check out a Theta Pro VA if you can find one.
Funny you say that. I have a Linn Numerik (I’ve had a few of them), the early ones came with a pair of socketed PCM63 chips, the majority of them have PCM1702 chips on little adapter boards that just plug into the chip sockets. There’s not a vast difference between the two chips, both sound superb, very natural, open and detailed, great imaging, the PCM1702s are perhaps a little brighter but it is subtle, they actually sold them as an upgrade kit. I love the way they sound, they’ve seen off much more modern DACs. The different power supplies make more difference than the chips. My Numerik is an early one (serial number below 150) but has had both the PCM1702 (Nuki upgrade) and a slimline brilliant PSU... and a full recap. I’d have to spend a lot to better it... of course, the Rega ISIS I mentioned above is better... but it does cost a lot.
Yes, the Numerik uses a fully discrete output stage too, the PCB is rather densely populated to say the least. These DACs weren’t cheap new, but it’s easy to see why when you open one up.Yes I like the PCM 1702 based CD players and DACs too.
I have an Accuphase DC 61 DAC which uses 12 PCM 1702 in their multiple multi bit design and sounds lovely.
I also own a Krell KAV 300CD player which has been converted into a USB DAC and that uses PCM 1702s too -along with a massive fully discrete output stage.
Both those DACs have seen off any modern players/DACs I have tried.
Although the Sony CDP 715 I mentioned matches them for 3D imaging.Maybe is even slightly better than them in that area but does not sound as refined as the Accuphase or as fleshed out as the Krell.
Why ? Under ABX you cannot tell the difference between CD and MP3 at 64kbps. Do you sell this useless bit of kit that will not make a difference due to all Dacs sounding the same ?Look at the Bacch cross cancellation system.
Keith
OP has ATC speakers so source is the key here surely?Sorry, but I think the original question is a bit limited. In my experience you have to think at system level, source first is BS.
Having said that, for me a NOS player/ DAC and an extremly accurate clock with as close to zero jitter/ interference as you can get will have you on the right track.
A decent iMac with Audirvana, a supra low rad optical cable and a JVC 1010TN will get you there, but you could destroy all of that good potential with rubbish speakers.
Metrum Octave is another very good DAC that can produce a fantastic soundstage (in the right system).
Certain valve amps have loads of even order harmonics, which give the illusion of a massive 'walk in' soundstage. Concordant's and most ARC pre amps would be a good place to look.