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Original Message

Anyone heard the new dCS Debussy dac?

Posted by DAP on May 20, 2010 at 19:14:09:
Hello Audio Asylum people,

My first post.

I currently have an Esoteric X-03se, but am looking to replace it with a DAC and computer source. I'm building a "silent PC" with a Lynx card, with some help from the folks on computeraudiophile.com, and was intending to connect it to an Esoteric D-05 DAC via XLR connectors, externally clocking the Lynx card from a G-03X master clock. However, I've recently read about the new dCS Debussy dac, which sounds exactly what I want, so I'm starting to think about that dac with the Paganini Clock instead. That combo with the trade in of my X-03 is within my budget. Anything further up the dCS line is out.

My dealer has the full Esoteric range, and I currently have the X-03SE, so I'm very familiar with the Esoteric sound. I doubt if I would have the opportunity of auditioning the Debussy though, before ordering it. I may have a chance to audition one or two older used dCS models.

So, has anyone had the opportunity of auditioning the Debussy dac? Can you describe the sound, if possible with comparison to Esoteric?

My dealer describes the dCS sound as "very musical,not forward in your face, very open and airy". Someone on the naim forum suggests that it is "analytical and not energetic". On avguide I've seen the dCS sound described as "extraordinarily lifelike" (Viner), and by another reviewer with "something niggling away ... another player at around half the price ...had a wonderfully natural sense of ease and liquid phrasing which the dCS would struggle to better." Anyway, is there anything about the dCS sound that might not make an Esoteric owner happy?

Thanks,
Daniel