ARC Ref CD-9 vs. Ref DAC

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

I spoke with Audio Research and they have decided not to update their Reference DAC, Reference CD-9 Player and CD-6 Player to an SE version. They were considering placing the DAC9 digital board in these components to give them PCM 384 kHz and DSD 128 capability but they have opted not to do it. So for the intermediate term, the DAC9 is going to be their only DAC with these enhanced capabilities. According to Audio Research, there is no new Reference level DAC in the pipeline.

I'm planning to do a direct comparison of the DAC9 and the Reference CD-9 in my system. I feel the DAC9 has superior digital circuitry (most current Burr Brown DAC chip), while the Reference CD-9 has the superior analog output stage (four 6H30 dual triodes) and power supply (6550 rectifier tube and one 6H30 dual triode). The DAC9 has an analog output stage with two dual triodes and a solid state power supply. It should be an interesting comparison. I'll report back on my results.

Ken