dCS Puccini: Drawer-loading, dual-laser SACD/CD player with digital volume and balance controls, and upsampling of CD data to DSD or PCM. Digital inputs: 2 S/PDIF on RCA jacks. Word clock In/Out (TTL) on 75-ohm BNC jacks. Digital outputs: 2 S/PDIF on RCA jacks. Analog outputs: balanced on XLR jacks, unbalanced on RCA jacks. Maximum output level: 2V or 6V, selectable. Output impedance: 3 ohms balanced, 52 ohms unbalanced. Frequency response: 10Hz–20kHz, ±0.1dB, Filter 1, CD and SACD playback. Channel separation: >80dB, 20Hz–20kHz. Noise: <–100dB, 20Hz–20kHz…
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Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Digital Sources: Ayre C-5xeMP universal player, Meridian 808i.2 CD player, Apple Mac mini & MacBook for media storage & playback with iTunes 9.0.
Preamplifiers: Parasound Halo JC 2, Simaudio Moon Evolution P-8.
Power Amplifiers: Parasound Halo JC 1 monoblocks, Simaudio Moon Evolution W-7.
Loudspeakers: Aerial Acoustics 20T V2, Aerial Acoustics 5B, PSB Synchrony One, Totem Acoustic Mani-2, Acoustic Energy AE1 Mk.III Reference Special Edition.
Cables: Digital: Kimber Illuminations Orchid AES/EBU, Stereovox CV2, AudioQuest VSD-4 S/PDIF,…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
I examined the measured behavior of the dCS Puccini using the Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see www.ap.com and "As We See It" in the January 2008 issue), as well as, for some tests, my Audio Precision System One Dual Domain. To examine the performance of the U-Clock's asynchronous USB input, I drove it with the USB 2.0 output of my MacBook running OS10.4.11, playing WAV files using Bias Peak 6.2.
The Puccini had the best error correction I have encountered, not suffering from occasional glitches in its audio output until the gaps in the data spiral of…
dCS Puccini v1.20 firmware upgrade, October 2010 (Vol.33 No.10):
Since I reviewed this $17,999 SACD/CD player and the matching $4999 U-Clock for the November 2009 issue, it has been my workhorse for both reviewing duties and listening pleasure. The U-Clock's ability to accept USB data in an asynchronous manner has allowed playback of computer files via iTunes, using the Pure Music front-end app, to equal the sound of optical discs in my system. High-resolution downloads—such as John Butt and the Dunedin Consort's new recording of J.S. Bach's B Minor Mass (24-bit/88.2kHz FLAC, Linn Records…
The venerable British company ATC Loudspeaker Technology was founded in 1974 by Billy Woodman, and is famous within the professional community for developing the first soft-dome midrange driver, and for their well-regarded line of active (powered) studio monitors, the user list of which is a veritable Who's Who of mastering engineers. ATC loudspeakers are all still made in the UK, and were a favorite of the late J. Gordon Holt.
I requested a pair of ATC's SCM 11 passive monitors because its price of $1750/pair in real cherry veneer (or $1850/pair in black ash) fit into my quest…
Sonics
Playing "Embraceable You," from Jane Monheit's Taking a Chance on Love (CD, Sony Classical SK 92495), what immediately became apparent was the ATC's more articulate upper midrange. The treble was under control—revealing but sweet. Hand in hand with the above was a slightly wider soundstage. I quickly came to the conclusion that the ATC SCM 11 was a choice as valid as the Aerial 5B, and that, even though the differences between them were not "night and day," most listeners will prefer one speaker or the other, with room acoustics and associated equipment being, as always, major…
Playing "Embraceable You," from Jane Monheit's Taking a Chance on Love (CD, Sony Classical SK 92495), what immediately became apparent was the ATC's more articulate upper midrange. The treble was under control—revealing but sweet. Hand in hand with the above was a slightly wider soundstage. I quickly came to the conclusion that the ATC SCM 11 was a choice as valid as the Aerial 5B, and that, even though the differences between them were not "night and day," most listeners will prefer one speaker or the other, with room acoustics and associated equipment being, as always, major…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Two-way, stand-mounted speaker with Sealed-box woofer alignment. Drive-units: 1" soft-dome tweeter, 6" woofer. Low-frequency extension: 56Hz, –6dB. Nominal impedance: 8 ohms. Sensitivity: 85.0dB/2.83V/m.
Dimensions: 15" high by 8.3" wide by 9.8" deep. Weight: 17.6 lbs.
Serial numbers of review samples: 1385, 1386.
Price: $1750/pair in cherry veneer, $1850/pair in black ash.
Manufacturer: ATC Loudspeaker Technology Ltd., Gypsy Lane, Aston Down, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL6 8HR, UK. Tel: (44) (0)1285-760561. Fax: (44) (0)1285-760683. Web:…
Sidebar 2: Review System
I mainly used a Peachtree Nova USB integrated amplifier, and a Luxman DU-50 universal player as a transport feeding the Nova's S/PDIF port via a 2m length of Kimber Kable's DV-30 cable. Speaker cables were Nordost Blue Heavens. Later, I paired the ATCs with other electronics, including the Luxman L-505u integrated amplifier, and the Carat I57, Arcam Mini, and Denon RCD-DX1 one-box CD receivers.—John Marks
Sidebar 3: Measurements
The SCM 11's voltage sensitivity is specified as a fairly low 85.0dB/2.83V/m; this seemed a touch optimistic, as the ATC didn't seem to play any louder than the sample of the BBC LS3/5a that I routinely include when I'm set up to measure a bunch of loudspeakers. I estimated the ATC's sensitivity as being a low 82dB(B)/2.83V/m—this speaker should work best with higher-power amplifiers, though I note that JM had no drive difficulties with the Arcam Mini or Carat I57 receivers he used, and was impressed by the speaker's dynamic capabilities when he drove it with the…
The top third of the front baffle is tilted back for time alignment purposes, which gives the G/3 a distinctly pregnant look. Like the earlier Fried Studio IV, the edges of the G/3 enclosure are chamfered, which, together with the mirror imaging of the upper two drivers, is claimed to reduce diffraction effects. There is no foam or felt, however, on the front baffle—two things I've found particularly effective in controlling dispersion and minimizing diffraction effects. Our review pair had the weathered cosmetics of a demo pair with numerous finish blemishes; otherwise, the G/3 is…