Over the last few days it has been interesting to learn about the new upgrades for the original SDSM and the new Selekt Edition. This post is focused on those of us with the original SDSM and our options, as well as some thoughts on both Edition and Klimax DSM.
The 10k foot view
As the underlying technology of these two systems move closer together, the physical layout and touch points like case work seem to become the major differentiators. But since we are focused on the sound of the music, once a SDSM Classic is set up with Organik or one gets an SDSM Edition, what will be the true sound differences between these systems?
As for myself, I can see going for the stereo Organik upgrade and possibly the dual mono upgrade but would like to "exit market" at some point. What do you all plan to do?
The 10k foot view
- It seems the most cost effective upgrade is to simply upgrade the Katalyst DAC to Organik if you already have a stereo line out card. The physical process of the upgrade appears it will be easy and straight forward.
- If we are feeling a bit adventurous, we could opt for purchasing the dual mono cards and then the dual mono Organic option. While I appreciate the approach and will consider this path, I find the cost of the dual mono line out cards interesting. It would be nice to know what the differences are in the mono cards vs. the stereo card from a technical and sound perspective. At "$1,950 Mono line out cartridge sold as pair" it is over 50% more than the "$598 Stereo line out cartridge" (if we bought two of them). While the delta is not huge, is this simply the cost of two physical parts vs one? Could there be a sound difference in the mono cards vs. the stereo card? Will be interesting to eventually hear this, but if anyone has reports from the field please chime in.
- Same question for the dual mono Organik DAC modules as well. The cost of this one does not seem too bad at "$7,150 Mono Organik DAC sold as pair" when one considers the stereo module is $4,225. The big question I have here is if a SDSM is equipped in a dual mono configuration and the upgraded power supply, and the Klimax DSM is not a dual mono design, could the SDSM in theory out perform to NGKDSM? Are there differences in the analog output stages or are the same same topology?
As the underlying technology of these two systems move closer together, the physical layout and touch points like case work seem to become the major differentiators. But since we are focused on the sound of the music, once a SDSM Classic is set up with Organik or one gets an SDSM Edition, what will be the true sound differences between these systems?
As for myself, I can see going for the stereo Organik upgrade and possibly the dual mono upgrade but would like to "exit market" at some point. What do you all plan to do?