dCS Purcell/Delius vs. WADIA 27ix

I own the 27ix run direct to my amps.
I find it highly musical, full bodied, and I enjoy mine thoroughly. However, as the S'Phile review of the 27ix mentions, it is rolled off up top. Compared to inexpensive DACs like my previous Bel Cano DAC-1 and a friends Assemblage 2.7 Platinum, the cheap DAC's definitely present more information up top. But I have learned that musicality is not about extracting the last bits.

I am curious if the new software upgrade for the 27ix will address some of my top-end issues. I brought my 27ix over to a seller with a dCS Purcell, but unforunately an amp blew when he powered up so I could only get a mono perspective of what the Purcell could do for me. I will refrain from further comment until I can get a proper listen to the Purcell.

- Andy

I owned the Wadia 27ix and used it with a Levinson 31.5 transport. I replaced the Wadia with a dCS Purcell/Elgar. The first DAC I owned was a Wadia 2000 so I can say I have always appreciated the sound and build quality of the Wadia. But the Elgar simply gave me more of what the Wadia 27ix did; lower noise floor, superior dynamics, better resolution of microdynamics, and more tonal variety in the lower octaves. I was also influenced by the financial problems Wadia was experiencing at the time (~3 years ago). Frankly, you can't go wrong with either IMHO.

In my opinion the DCS combo is the winner,but not by much.The Wadia is also excellent.Either way you win.

One feature that the dCS has going for it is upsampling to DSD with the latest Purcell/Delius. Also, the dCS Grieg transport will play regular cd's and sacd's.

When using the Grieg with the Delius (or Purcell/Delius combo) the clock output of the Delius can be used to synch to the other pieces. This greatly reduces jitter and offers a great improvement in sound.