dCS Elgar Plus Digital to Analog (D/A) Converter

Description

WHO WE ARE
SkyFi Audio is a small startup business specializing in the purchase, reconditioning, and reselling of high end audio equipment. We only buy equipment that we admire and are passionate about. No mid-fi, no gimmicks, no junk.
Each piece of equipment is cosmetically restored and fully tested in our well-equipped lab by an engineer with 30+ years of experience in the HiFi world. If it does not meet or exceed the original manufactures specifications, it will not be sold. We are very selective about the equipment we purchase, focusing on mostly analog, high-build quality, American, and European built units.
Through our sister company, which is an authorized dealer for McIntosh, Audio Research, Sonus Faber, ClearAudio, Project, and Sony ES, we have access to OEM parts, service, and support.
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Super sophisticated D/A capable of completing your reference quality system.
All functions tested and working, except DSD output via the Firewire / IEEE1394 which we were not able to confirm. It's possible we had a bad or incorrect cable, incorrect configuration, or a bad unit.
In excellent cosmetic condition as shown in our photos.
MSRP of k when new in 2003.
More from a Stereophile Review written by Michael Fremer:
The Elgar Plus improves on the Elgar's performance and operation by adding DSD decoding via FireWire or SDIF-2 interfaces and by allowing it to slave to a word clock or act as a master clock. It also adds a digital output and an improved and extended menu system.
Because the Plus, like the original Elgar, can decode 24/96 and 24/192 data, you can connect a DVD-V player's 24/96 bitstream (if available—many DVD players downconvert to 24/48) and decode DAD discs.
Like all dCS DACs, the Elgar Plus uses the company's proprietary Ring DACs for digital conversion.
A dCS spokesperson impressed on me the fact that virtually every other company making DACs and CD players uses off-the-shelf, chip-based DACs made by other companies, and that it was only because of dCS's contracts with the UK military that the company could afford the R&D needed to design and build such precision devices in the first place. The Elgar Plus's software-driven DSP is upgradeable via a CD player or, via a rear port, a PC.
The Elgar has both digital-domain balance and volume controls, so you can plug it directly into your power amplifier.
Specifications:
• Digital/analog converter with remote control
• 5-bit, approximately 3MS/s oversampled, dCS-patented Ring DAC topology
• Integral digital volume and balance controls
Inputs:
Dual AES/EBU XLR, BNC, TosLink, ST optical (optional), word clock (I/O), SDIF-2, DSD, IEEE1394 (I/O).
Analog outputs:
• XLR balanced, RCA single-ended. Sample rates: 32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, or 96kHz on single-wire interfaces and SDIF-2/word-clock input, auto-selected.
• Optical inputs not guaranteed at 88.2kHz and 96kHz. 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, or 192kHz on dual AES interface auto-selected. 2.822MS/s for DSD on IEEE1394 interface requires a 44.1kHz word clock.
• 44.1kHz for word-clock output in master mode, not temperature-compensated.
Frequency responses
(set to filter 1):
Fs=32kHz:
10Hz-15kHz, ±0.1dB
Fs=44.1kHz or 48kHz:
10Hz-15kHz, ±0.1dB
Fs=88.2kHz or 96kHz:
10Hz-35kHz, ±0.1dB
Fs=176.4kHz or 192kHz:
10Hz-55kHz, +0.25/-0.35dB
DSD:
10Hz-55kHz, +0.2/-0.35dB
Dimensions:
18.15" W x 2.94" H x 16" D
Weight:
26.4 lbs
Item
Included
Original Box
No
Manual
Yes
Remote
Yes
Cables
Yes - Power
Physical Condition
8
Working Condition
9 (See Firewire Note)
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PURCHASING FROM SKYFI:
This item will be professionally packaged and insured for safe transit to your home unless you opt for local pickup from our shop. Please note that all local pickup items are only wrapped with industrial strength clear cling stretch wrap if the original manufacturer packaging is unavailable.
Local pickup is available in Glen Rock, NJ, just a half hour drive from Midtown Manhattan, with convenient parking near our building.
If we don’t have the original manufacture’s packaging, we use heavy duty double-ply corrugated boxes with custom made to your item Instapak expanding foam custom inserts. In many cases this has proven to be better than the original packaging! We also use high quality fiber reinforced tape to seal our packages. Lightweight items will be bubble wrapped and shipped in a high-quality box.
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PURCHASING GUIDELINES:
We do not accept or review any offers that do not go through the official eBay system. We have too many items for sale and it’s nearly impossible to keep track of offers outside of the official system. Please don’t message, email, or text any offers.
TRADE IN POLICY:
We accept trade-ins of equal or lesser value under certain conditions. Please visit our website to submit your gear for full consideration. We will only consider high-end equipment from mainstream manufacturers such as McIntosh, Mark Levinson, Audio Research, Krell, etc. and will typically pass on displays, projectors, receivers, dated surround processors, and mid-fi equipment of any type. We will offer a fair value for your equipment, but keep in mind we’re running a business and will need to be able to resell the equipment at a profit after investing a great deal of time and resources in testing, certifying, repairing, cleaning, and packaging the incoming equipment. If you’re looking for top dollar, we suggest selling direct on your own.
SELL US YOUR GEAR (Working or Broken):
We’ll also purchase your used or broken gear and arrange pickup if you’re in our local market. Simply visit our website to submit your gear for full consideration.
SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT:
We are currently operating from our shop inside our dedicated building in Glen Rock, NJ. You’re welcome to make an appointment if there’s a piece of equipment you’d like to see in operation before or after purchase. We have several well-equipped and dedicated listening areas, plus a dedicated listening studio with tons of equipment of all makes and models. We’re not a store, so please don’t make an appointment if you’re just curious as to how a speaker or piece of equipment sounds. In essence - no tire kickers please.
You can message us here on eBay with any questions or to schedule an appointment. We can also arrange to install, calibrate, and tune your newly purchased gear in your listening room if you’re local to our area. This is super useful when purchasing large speakers or heavy amplifiers. It’s also great for ensuring your new turntable is setup correctly in its final resting place.
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