Answers | Q&A (Week of 10.6.25)

Have Digital Source Components Surpassed Analog Sources' Capabilities

Question:

I recently have spent time listening to dCS’s Varese and Vivaldi stacks. My local audio store, Pearl Audio, here in Portland, has been gracious in setting aside a couple of Monday afternoons. We’ve been conducting a comparison between the dCSs and my source components: Linn Klimax Turntable (with a Nordost Valhalla 2 tonearm cable), the Luxman D-10X, and the Linn Klimax Organik DSM, using a front end very similar to my own: Audio Research 160S (my system is 160M mkii’s), Ref 6SE, and Ref 3SE, and B&W Signature Speakers. The results, to my ears, have been astonishing. My preferred method of playback at home is vinyl, with some exceptions for SACD. I run CDs from the Luxman through the Linn DSM. After listening to the dCS’s stacks, a few things are clear...literally and figuratively...The Varese is another level above my current setup, in terms of soundstage, detail, air, transparency, musicality... it is brilliant. The only vinyl that held its own against the Varese so far wer…