Hi-Rez Disc Player/Transport Reviews

dCS Verdi: Drawer-loading, dual-laser SACD/CD transport with DSD stream output via IEEE1394 FireWire interface. Digital outputs: three AEC/EBU XLR; one each BNC, RCA, TosLink optical, ST optical (optional); two each IEEE1394 digital (200Mbit dCS-encrypted DSD), SDIF-2. Word clock In/Out, SUC multipin connector for PC software upgrades. Includes remote control, BNC cable, and IEEE1394 cable.
Dimensions: 18.15" W by 5.39" H by 16.34" D. Weight: 37.4 lbs.
Serial number of unit reviewed: V093054.
Price: $10,995.

dCS Purcell: Digital/digital converter. Inputs: two IEEE1394 (I/O); one each AES/EBU XLR, RCA, BNC, TosLink, ST (optional), word clock In/Out. Outputs: dual AES/EBU XLR, RCA, BNC. Sample rates: 32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, or 96kHz on single-wire interfaces and word-clock interfaces, auto-selected. Optical outputs not guaranteed at 88.2kHz and 96kHz. 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, or 192kHz on dual AES interface, auto-selected. 2.822MS/s for DSD on IEEE1394 interface (used with a 44.1kHz word clock).
Dimensions: 18.15" W by 2.70" H by 16.18" D. Weight: 18.7 lbs.
Serial number of unit reviewed: P093021.
Price: $7995.

dCS Elgar Plus: Digital/analog converter with remote control. 5-bit, approximately 3MS/s oversampled, dCS-patented Ring DAC topology. Integral digital volume and balance controls. Inputs: dual AES/EBU XLR, BNC, TosLink, ST optical (optional), word clock (I/O), SDIF-2, DSD, IEEE1394 (I/O). Analog outputs: XLR balanced, RCA single-ended. Sample rates: 32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, or 96kHz on single-wire interfaces and SDIF-2/word-clock input, auto-selected. Optical inputs not guaranteed at 88.2kHz and 96kHz. 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, or 192kHz on dual AES interface auto-selected. 2.822MS/s for DSD on IEEE1394 interface requires a 44.1kHz word clock. 44.1kHz for word-clock output in master mode, not temperature-compensated. Frequency responses (set to filter 1): Fs=32kHz: 10Hz-15kHz, ±0.1dB. Fs=44.1kHz or 48kHz: 10Hz-15kHz, ±0.1dB. Fs=88.2kHz or 96kHz: 10Hz-35kHz, ±0.1dB. Fs=176.4kHz or 192kHz: 10Hz-55kHz, +0.25/-0.35dB. DSD: 10Hz-55kHz, +0.2/-0.35dB.
Dimensions: 18.15" W by 2.94" H by 16" D. Weight: 26.4 lbs.
Serial number of unit reviewed: 1007.
Price: $14,995.

Common to all three: Approximate number of dealers: 45. Warranty: 1 year parts & labor, free extension to 5 years with dCS registration.

Manufacturer: dCS (Data Conversion Systems), Ltd., Mull House, Great Chesterford Court, Great Chesterford, Saffron Walden CB10 1PF, England, UK. Web: www.dcsltd.co.uk. US distributor: Audiophile Systems, 8709 Castle Park Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46256. Tel: (888) 272-2658. Fax: (317) 841-4107. Web: www.aslgroup.com.