Theta GenVa Upgrade

I had a Gen Va which I upgraded to the 96k option.I to was waiting for the "VI" since I really liked the Theta. I compared it to the MSB Platinum using the balanced outputs (no audio amplification) direct into my Melos Monoblocks. I sold the Theta. For $3000 I think the Platinum is a great unit and is a whole different class than the Gold which I own in a bedroom system. The dCs units are even bette,r but even used they are 3X the Platinum.

A few additional comments. I'm using a Data III transport and a Digital Lens does improve the sound of the Pro Gen Va. I've been a big Theta fan since way back but the Gen Va is old enough now that it has a noticable a gap compared to other units. Based on my direct experience I think the MSB Platinum has fantastic sound for the money though there may be other equally good units out there that I havn't heard. But I'm very sure that the dCs units are still the state of the art.

I used the laser linque from my Data IIIa and it was excellent. When I wanted to go to the Sigtech DSP I found when I added the Digital Lens with Orchid interconnects the sound fairly equivalent, especially after I used 80 lbs of lead shot to absorbe the vibrations on the Data III's coverings! That said, no two Digital Lens units are exactly the same and I've had my hands on four! What finally caused me to move on was the flip side of the excellent bass from the audio output of the Gen Va, that is when going directly into my tube monoblocks there was a slight but noticable "transistor" sound. The Platinum balanced outputs have no analog (audio) stage and do not have that signature. The dCs units also don't have it. Also the Platinum and dCs have to my ears more musical D to A conversion. The Digital Lens slightly degrades the qualityof the sound with these units. Don't get me wrong the Va is a great unit and I loved it but time has passed it by. I certainly wouldn't dump it immediately because it will cost a fair piece of change to get better performance. But even at used prices I would have to think twice about recommending it and I've owned Theta gear for over a decade.

I had the same "pops" you referred to on some units. It seems that on some of the units the buffers could not process digitized results of the the highest level (voulume) audio signals supported by the redbook standard. The problem also varied depending on the interface used.