@TheFlash Nigel and I had a small shootout between three DACs. It was informal, non-scientific, and we used our ears. I am just going to give an overall impression that rather breakdown every track that we listened to and every difference and maybe Nigel will add a few thoughts.
Nigel has active ATC speakers and a dCS Puccini DAC. I have passive ATC speakers and a Luxman DA100 and Benchmark DAC2 and so I took my DACs to Nigel’s lovely home and drank his lovely coffee.
We first listened to Nigel’s system and I was surprised that it wasn’t as some parts of the internet would suggest. It was not bright, in your face, forward, lean, hyper detailed etc. Nigel’s room is different than mine but I immediately commented that the top end was smoother than at home. Maybe it was just the room?
We used Nigel’s full signal chain including the dCS Clock and his Mutec and just swapped out the DACs. We listened to well recorded recent music and good and badly recorded late seventies music.
We started with the Luxman DA100. There was a clear difference between the two DACs. The most obvious difference was the Puccini had a smoother top end. It also had tighter bass and also more detail in the midrange and this manifested itself by revealing more of the tone and timbre of instruments like acoustic piano. It also had more definition in the bass for example we were able to hear more of the top harmonics of bass guitar notes and impact on the strings.
I hadn’t planned on listening to the Benchmark and only brought it as it had more connection possibilities and so it was used from cold. In terms of sonic performance the Benchmark sat between the Luxman and the Puccini. In comparison to the Luxman the bass was tighter and the treble smoother but a little more detailed but the Benchmark didn't seem to equal the Puccini in any areas; we would need a more extended demo to find out.
What are my conclusions? There was a difference between the DACs. I have found for years that digital is fatiguing and have had to work hard on having a sympathetic amp and speakers for example I use a valve preamp with ATC speakers and solid state with Harbeth speakers; the ATCs are ok with no valve preamp but smoother with one. With the Puccini I wouldn’t need to make these considerations. The top end wasn’t rolled off it was just smoother and easier to listen to yet with more detail and would fit into a wider range of systems.
Did I prefer the Puccini? In many respects yes but it sounded different from what I have been hearing for decades and so it takes time to consider whether any fundamental change is desired or not. I would need more time with the Puccini to be sure that I had listened to enough music over a longer amount of time but I am actually considering buying one. The more textured midrange and smoother top end was compelling.
But we need to consider price and value. Clearly I would only consider secondhand. A new Benchmark DAC is c£2000 and the Puccini c£10,000. A secondhand Puccini is c£4000 and the clock is another £2000 or so. £6000 is still a hell of a lot of money for the amount of difference that is to be gained. And you would need a very transparent system to be able to hear all of the differences.
To some people it’s not even worth considering buying a Puccini. To others once they have heard the difference it’s difficult not to hear it and that difference is worth it regardless of the cost.
Nigel was an excellent and affable host, makes good coffee, and has a lovely home. We got to meet and that was worth it even if I don’t end up buying a Puccini.
There are two Puccinis on eBay right now that I am watching.
Nigel has active ATC speakers and a dCS Puccini DAC. I have passive ATC speakers and a Luxman DA100 and Benchmark DAC2 and so I took my DACs to Nigel’s lovely home and drank his lovely coffee.
We first listened to Nigel’s system and I was surprised that it wasn’t as some parts of the internet would suggest. It was not bright, in your face, forward, lean, hyper detailed etc. Nigel’s room is different than mine but I immediately commented that the top end was smoother than at home. Maybe it was just the room?
We used Nigel’s full signal chain including the dCS Clock and his Mutec and just swapped out the DACs. We listened to well recorded recent music and good and badly recorded late seventies music.
We started with the Luxman DA100. There was a clear difference between the two DACs. The most obvious difference was the Puccini had a smoother top end. It also had tighter bass and also more detail in the midrange and this manifested itself by revealing more of the tone and timbre of instruments like acoustic piano. It also had more definition in the bass for example we were able to hear more of the top harmonics of bass guitar notes and impact on the strings.
I hadn’t planned on listening to the Benchmark and only brought it as it had more connection possibilities and so it was used from cold. In terms of sonic performance the Benchmark sat between the Luxman and the Puccini. In comparison to the Luxman the bass was tighter and the treble smoother but a little more detailed but the Benchmark didn't seem to equal the Puccini in any areas; we would need a more extended demo to find out.
What are my conclusions? There was a difference between the DACs. I have found for years that digital is fatiguing and have had to work hard on having a sympathetic amp and speakers for example I use a valve preamp with ATC speakers and solid state with Harbeth speakers; the ATCs are ok with no valve preamp but smoother with one. With the Puccini I wouldn’t need to make these considerations. The top end wasn’t rolled off it was just smoother and easier to listen to yet with more detail and would fit into a wider range of systems.
Did I prefer the Puccini? In many respects yes but it sounded different from what I have been hearing for decades and so it takes time to consider whether any fundamental change is desired or not. I would need more time with the Puccini to be sure that I had listened to enough music over a longer amount of time but I am actually considering buying one. The more textured midrange and smoother top end was compelling.
But we need to consider price and value. Clearly I would only consider secondhand. A new Benchmark DAC is c£2000 and the Puccini c£10,000. A secondhand Puccini is c£4000 and the clock is another £2000 or so. £6000 is still a hell of a lot of money for the amount of difference that is to be gained. And you would need a very transparent system to be able to hear all of the differences.
To some people it’s not even worth considering buying a Puccini. To others once they have heard the difference it’s difficult not to hear it and that difference is worth it regardless of the cost.
Nigel was an excellent and affable host, makes good coffee, and has a lovely home. We got to meet and that was worth it even if I don’t end up buying a Puccini.
There are two Puccinis on eBay right now that I am watching.
Last edited: