Hi,
Some time since this thread was active, but I will add in some comments.
I have the dCS verdi-purcell-verona and elgar + stack and have used it for some years now, apart from the verona which I buy sometimes later.
If money is not an object I think I would go for a full stack, however performance for money I quite sure that the dac is the part i would have pay my money on, I have tried with different transport then the verdi and it still sound superb, the verona clock, I think if you read the review in stereophile their conclusion is correct, it means it is a worthwhile upgrade for an audiofile but I think value for money is not the word to be used, but if you have the fund ok.
Regarding the purcell, if you have more the one source it is ok, for me only using the verdi source i stick with upsampling to DSD and apart from the time I was servising my verdi and using a dvd player as a transport, no other sample rates used.
My brother have the Delius 1394 but I have not use his dac comparing with my one, but I was using his delius when I had my previous cd player and the combination was so good that I decide to go for a full dCS stack.
I'm now tempted to go for the scarlatti stack, but it is expencive but the dealer will take my old one so maybe.
So I'm pleased with dCS, but if I have to choose one unit only, I will go for the dac, it will most likely be the main difference.
If you later on want to invest in dCS transport-upsampler-clock you will have an improvent in performance, but not similar to the dac.
Kind Regards
Geir
Norway
Some time since this thread was active, but I will add in some comments.
I have the dCS verdi-purcell-verona and elgar + stack and have used it for some years now, apart from the verona which I buy sometimes later.
If money is not an object I think I would go for a full stack, however performance for money I quite sure that the dac is the part i would have pay my money on, I have tried with different transport then the verdi and it still sound superb, the verona clock, I think if you read the review in stereophile their conclusion is correct, it means it is a worthwhile upgrade for an audiofile but I think value for money is not the word to be used, but if you have the fund ok.
Regarding the purcell, if you have more the one source it is ok, for me only using the verdi source i stick with upsampling to DSD and apart from the time I was servising my verdi and using a dvd player as a transport, no other sample rates used.
My brother have the Delius 1394 but I have not use his dac comparing with my one, but I was using his delius when I had my previous cd player and the combination was so good that I decide to go for a full dCS stack.
I'm now tempted to go for the scarlatti stack, but it is expencive but the dealer will take my old one so maybe.
So I'm pleased with dCS, but if I have to choose one unit only, I will go for the dac, it will most likely be the main difference.
If you later on want to invest in dCS transport-upsampler-clock you will have an improvent in performance, but not similar to the dac.
Kind Regards
Geir
Norway