dCS new flagship

[dcathro]

I'm not advocating for more boxes (I only have one)! I'm just saying that technically it can be exactly the same thing (or sometimes even worse).

When it comes to digital, sometimes having everything crammed in close to each other may not be a good idea.

Well, in what I like, there is not a lot to cram in. but short signal paths are always a good idea.

In your post, you mention a lot of things which are not so obvious, for example: some advocate for optical connection to the source (ex: MSB) rather than I2S (which is prone to noise, since it is a high bandwidth electrical connection).

You are talking about transferring signals between two different boxes which is totally different than within one unit. With two boxes you have potential grounding/noise issues when you have electrical connections. Even with optical connections it still gets converted to I2S to go into the DAC.

Rather than argue pointlessly about the design, it's best to wait and listen.

Who's arguing?

 

[hopkins]

You are talking about transferring signals between two different boxes which is totally different than within one unit. With two boxes you have potential grounding/noise issues when you have electrical connections. Even with optical connections it still gets converted to I2S to go into the DAC.

Not necessarily.

Anyway, once the actual product is out you can compare it to others. Technical arguments about the number of boxes are not really compelling.

 

[PeterA]

Not necessarily.

Anyway, once the actual product is out you can compare it to others. Technical arguments about the number of boxes are not really compelling.

I have nine (9) Lamm boxes. I wish it were three: two mono amps and one full function phono/pre amplifier. I have compared the one box phono to the three box phono and the one box preamp to the four box preamp. I have kept all of them, but in each case, more boxes sound better. I wish it were not the case, believe me.

I certainly do not know in the case of digital why more boxes would sound better. One thing is clear though: more boxes cost more. Those who like dCS will have to listen and decide if it is worth it, just as I did with Lamm.

 

[Lagonda]

I have nine (9) Lamm boxes. I wish it were three: two mono amps and one full function phono/pre amplifier. I have compared the one box phono to the three box phono and the one box preamp to the four box preamp. I have kept all of them, but in each case, more boxes sound better. I wish it were not the case, believe me.

I certainly do not know in the case of digital why more boxes would sound better. One thing is clear though: more boxes cost more. Those who like dCS will have to listen and decide if it is worth it, just as I did with Lamm.

Let's not forget they where built to sound better, at a higher purchasing price.

 

[Amir]

I have nine (9) Lamm boxes. I wish it were three: two mono amps and one full function phono/pre amplifier. I have compared the one box phono to the three box phono and the one box preamp to the four box preamp. I have kept all of them, but in each case, more boxes sound better. I wish it were not the case, believe me.

I certainly do not know in the case of digital why more boxes would sound better. One thing is clear though: more boxes cost more. Those who like dCS will have to listen and decide if it is worth it, just as I did with Lamm.

Thank you
I think audiophiles should listen in right setup, I do not know why they think about number of boxes.

 

[Synaxis]

I do not know why they think about number of boxes.

Hi Amir,

Although not a final deciding factor for me, I do consider the number of boxes because it directly affects:

- Number of upgraded power cords I need to buy;
- Number of vibration control feet/platforms I need to buy;
- Number of extra plug sockets I now need on my power filtration boxes;
-Number of shelf spaces I have;
-Number of upgraded interconnects I will need.

So for me personally the more boxes I have, the more the price jumps exponentially.

 

[Amir]

Hi Amir,

Although not a final deciding factor for me, I do consider the number of boxes because it directly affects:

- Number of upgraded power cords I need to buy;
- Number of vibration control feet/platforms I need to buy;
- Number of extra plug sockets I now need on my power filtration boxes;
-Number of shelf spaces I have;
-Number of upgraded interconnects I will need.

So for me personally the more boxes I have, the more the price jumps exponentially.

Hi,
You are right, more boxes affects on the cost but the problem is dCS or Wadax can not decrease all boxes to one small box.
I think the main problem is the price policy of high end market. Imagine the dCS (6boxes) with all interconnects and AC cables was under $30k then there was no complain.

 

[PeterA]

Hi,
You are right, more boxes affects on the cost but the problem is dCS or Wadax can not decrease all boxes to one small box.
I think the main problem is the price policy of high end market. Imagine the dCS (6boxes) with all interconnects and AC cables was under $30k then there was no complain.

More boxes means more good cords and wires and footers and shelves/stands for the dealer to sell at good margins. It is all good.

 

[AudioHR]

Hi Amir,

Although not a final deciding factor for me, I do consider the number of boxes because it directly affects:

- Number of upgraded power cords I need to buy;
- Number of vibration control feet/platforms I need to buy;
- Number of extra plug sockets I now need on my power filtration boxes;
-Number of shelf spaces I have;
-Number of upgraded interconnects I will need.

So for me personally the more boxes I have, the more the price jumps exponentially.

I completely agree with your analysis.

Also there are just more interfaces where things could go wrong! I am an advocate of the KISS principle.

 

[dcathro]

I have nine (9) Lamm boxes. I wish it were three: two mono amps and one full function phono/pre amplifier. I have compared the one box phono to the three box phono and the one box preamp to the four box preamp. I have kept all of them, but in each case, more boxes sound better. I wish it were not the case, believe me.

I certainly do not know in the case of digital why more boxes would sound better. One thing is clear though: more boxes cost more. Those who like dCS will have to listen and decide if it is worth it, just as I did with Lamm.

Separation of power supplies is a good thing!

Your pre is 4 box instead of 2 because he wanted total separation of the 2 channels.

 

[hopkins]

Hi Amir,

Although not a final deciding factor for me, I do consider the number of boxes because it directly affects:

- Number of upgraded power cords I need to buy;
- Number of vibration control feet/platforms I need to buy;
- Number of extra plug sockets I now need on my power filtration boxes;
-Number of shelf spaces I have;
-Number of upgraded interconnects I will need.

So for me personally the more boxes I have, the more the price jumps exponentially.

Aside for the shelf space, I am not sure all this applies to the dCS stack.

I use a single box DAC/amp which only requires a Toslink input, and a single power cord. No interlinks, no ground loops. However, most people would not go this far and give up their separate components (including preamps and amps) just to reduce interlinks/power cords, etc... these things come as a "bonus" only.

How many components do you have in your system?

 

[Synaxis]

Aside for the shelf space, I am not sure all this applies to the dCS stack.

I use a single box DAC/amp which only requires a Toslink input, and a single power cord. No interlinks, no ground loops. However, most people would not go this far and give up their separate components (including preamps and amps) just to reduce interlinks/power cords, etc... these things come as a "bonus" only.

How many components do you have in your system?

It's constantly changing as gear comes in and out for me to do videos on.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

I have nine (9) Lamm boxes. I wish it were three: two mono amps and one full function phono/pre amplifier. I have compared the one box phono to the three box phono and the one box preamp to the four box preamp. I have kept all of them, but in each case, more boxes sound better. I wish it were not the case, believe me.

I certainly do not know in the case of digital why more boxes would sound better.

why would it be any different than analog?

Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.

One thing is clear though: more boxes cost more. Those who like dCS will have to listen and decide if it is worth it, just as I did with Lamm.

we can all agree that fewer boxes are preferred, but that we should follow our ears if our budget permits.

 

[hopkins]

It's constantly changing as gear comes in and out for me to do videos on.

Lucky you - though maybe it is also sometimes exhausting

 

[Synaxis]

Lucky you - though maybe it is also sometimes exhausting

It can be a double edged sword, though I do love experimenting with different gear and tweaks.

 

[thedudeabides]

There will be a optical cable upgrade sold soon, for the small additional sum of $50K, it is called ASUCKER.

You're a funny boy.

 

[thedudeabides]

I do not know why they think about number of boxes.

Because more boxes cost more money and take up more space?

 

[tima]

Let's not forget they where built to sound better, at a higher purchasing price.

Let's not forget that they do sound better ... regardless of the price.

And for those with less space, the two box Lamm linestage is a truly superb unit at half the price.

 

[hopkins]

why would it be any different than analog?

With digital, the signal can go through a number of "boxes" and remain "bit perfect" (which is why we can stream music from servers located across the world).

As a result, some people use cascades of network switches and digital signal "decrappifiers", each with their own high-end power supplies and cables, in an attempt to "clean up" the signal from unwanted noise.

I have no opinion as to the benefits.

 

[Lee]

Top of the line, sir.

Tom

Thank you.