The Trivista 21 is a very good Dac. It has excellent soundstaging, a very even balanced spectrum and reasonably dynamic. Definition is also a strong point. The musical flow is good and the dac is easy to listen to for hours on end. Although I hold this dac in high regard, it is not quite the equal of a dcs Elgar and, considering the cost of the dcs rig (Elgar + Purcell), I don't think one could expect it to be. The dcs also has all the strong points of the Trivista with perhaps a touch better bass response as well as overall definition. In addition, the manner in which musical notes just start, evolve and decay in free space seems to elude the Trivista delivery.
Don't take this as meaning the Trivista is a second class dac though. Actually, at it's going cost I consider it about as good a dac as I have heard. And, while mentioning the cost, be sure to contact Walter "Underwood Hi-Fi" as he has been selling the Trivista 21's at $1490 brand new. I believe Musical Fidelity has discontinued this model and it is being replaced by another or, another series (I am not real clear on this though).
Don't take this as meaning the Trivista is a second class dac though. Actually, at it's going cost I consider it about as good a dac as I have heard. And, while mentioning the cost, be sure to contact Walter "Underwood Hi-Fi" as he has been selling the Trivista 21's at $1490 brand new. I believe Musical Fidelity has discontinued this model and it is being replaced by another or, another series (I am not real clear on this though).