dCS Scarlatti range software update

[Elberoth]

dCS has just introduced a new software update for the Scarlatti DAC (v1.30) and transport, which allows DSD over SPDIF and encrypted DSD over Dual AES (like already adopted in the Vivaldi range).

It is important info for those wishing to play DSD files on the Scarlatti DAC, and also those who own Scarlatti stack and wanted to upgrade to the Vivaldi DAC without changing the transport.

The new features are:

1. The AES, RCA and BNC interfaces have been updated to accept DSD data in DoP format.

2. The Dual AES interface will accept PCM data at 352.8 & 384kHz, DSD in DoP format and dCS encrypted DSD (from a Vivaldi transport or Scarlatti transport with software update v1.11 or later).

I belive same software updates were made available to the Paganini range.

[jfrech]

Interesting, i wonder if dual aes on my scarlatii trans is better than firewire to my scarlati dac? Any thoughts?

[Nostromo]

I have On my scarlatti transport wireworld platinum aes and i am
trying a siltech GOLDEN eagle rca digital to compare
Any opinions about the best connections between aes or rca to the dac ?

[Elberoth]

No idea - I haven't tried it. Should sound the same though.

[jfrech]

Hi, I have friend with a Scarlatti stack...he listens to redbook a lot...and he swears the AES/EBU interface sounds better than firewire. I might have to give this new software update a try...might be a month or two...will report back if I try it...

I am using a Audioquest Diamond firewire cable...and I can certainly here the diff here between stock firewire...

[asiufy]

I believe AES is the way to go, at least from my experience with the Paganini.
You'll be able to do double AES, and with the new update, get DSD over (double) AES, and not rely on the old Firewire method.
IME, Firewire was "softer" than AES/EBU, less resolving even. And that was with a Crystal Cable Firewire cable ($$$).

Nostromo, forget the RCA, get two (identical) AES cables and be happy! If you don't have them, let me know and you can borrow mine :)

alexandre

[Nostromo]

Asyufi

I have 3 aes cables by wireworld and firewire by Cristal Cable and everything works fine

I ve received the siltech golden eagle 75 to compare with the Wireworld AES
In fact despite of the price of Siltech cable ( U$ 4.000,00 brand new) the performance was in the same level

[asiufy]

Ah, nice. So did you try both Wireworlds (AES) versus the Crystal Firewire?
As I wrote, on my Paganini, the AES was usually better...


alexandre

[Nostromo]

Ah, nice. So did you try both Wireworlds (AES) versus the Crystal Firewire?
As I wrote, on my Paganini, the AES was usually better...

alexandre

Asyufi

I have tried diferente inputs AES with wireworld and rca with Siltech GOLDEN eagle transport to upsampler cable

No diferences noted , the siltech is 4 folds as extensível as wireworld

[jfrech]

I believe AES is the way to go, at least from my experience with the Paganini.
You'll be able to do double AES, and with the new update, get DSD over (double) AES, and not rely on the old Firewire method.
IME, Firewire was "softer" than AES/EBU, less resolving even. And that was with a Crystal Cable Firewire cable ($$$).

Nostromo, forget the RCA, get two (identical) AES cables and be happy! If you don't have them, let me know and you can borrow mine :)

alexandre

Interesting...exactly what i was wondering...I think I'll have to try this! Were you using stock or fancy AES cables vs your crystal firewire?

[Nostromo]

Interesting...exactly what i was wondering...I think I'll have to try this! Were you using stock or fancy AES cables vs your crystal firewire?

Wireworld platinun aes

[jfrech]

I have 4 new transparent cables on the way. 2 reference xl bnc-bnc for my clock and dual aes tranparent ref xl (with the new software) from scarlatti trans to scarlati dac... Should all be here in a few days...will let u know what i think vs firewire

[jfrech]

So my Scarlatti dac and trans software is updated. I replaced my Audioquest Diamond firewire with Dual AES Transparent Ref XL digital cables. The Transparent need 200 hours to break in...I have about 18 hours. But holy smokes is this a BIG improvement. I feel like I got a new DAC or something...will post more as the cables break in...but Dual AES is clearly the better path...

[joeling]

This is good info thanks

[jfrech]

Now my new Transparent Ref XL digital cables have about 180 hours on them...they should be through the breakin process mostly.

I can enthusiastically say this is a major upgrade going dual aes vs firewire. Much better resolution, much better demensionality, lower noise (it's so quiet now)...which allows the dynamics and textures to really jump and/or bloom.

I feel like I got a new digital front end.

Substantial improvements across the board...nothing went backwards. I am happy