dcs

Paganini CD/SACD Transport

Elegant yet powerful Paganini is the entry point to the magic of digital separates offering all the functionality needed for the unique experience that is synonymous with dCS.

The design philosophy behind the Paganini range was to expand the feature set of the one box Puccini and offer a system that would elevate the musical performance yet further. Sharing many of the same key technologies found in Scarlatti the main differences are in the chassis where its subtle curvature provides elegance rather than authority.

The Paganini range is built to the highest specifications, it features a sleek solid aluminium fascia, thick aluminium casing, all metal buttons and a smooth transport mechanism. The Paganini Transport uses the TEAC EsotericTM UMK5 mechanism which is solidly constructed and features a metal tray built specially for dCS. All signal processing and electronics in the Transport is dCS.

Paganini Transport upsamples CD data to DSD and transmits the data over the 1394 interface. SACDs are played in their native DSD format, again over the 1394 interface. Native CD data is available from 4 PCM outputs (2x AES3 and 2x SPDIF), as is down-sampled SACD data.

Paganini Transport is intended to be used with the matching Paganini DAC or with any suitable industry standard DAC. The unit may be run in Master mode or by using the DAC as the system clock. Performance will be enhanced further by adding the Paganini Clock to the system.

All of the Paganini products benefit from our ‘soft' approach to programmable logic, which allows new software to be loaded from a dCS update disc to add new features and adapt to changes in digital formats.

Paganini CD/SACD Transport: Front View
  • type
  • Upsampling CD/SACD Transport
  • finish options
  • Silver or Black
  • dimensions

  • (W) 460mm x (D) 420mm x (H) 113mm/

    (W) 18.0” x (D) 16.5” x (H) 4.4”

    Allow extra depth for cable connectors 

  • weight
  • 11.5kg/25.3lbs
  • CD mechanism
  • Dual laser CD/SACD mechanism. (Esoteric UMK-5™).
  • converter type

  • CD data is available as native 16/44.1 and upsampled to DSD.

    SACD data is available as native DSD and down-sampled to 16/44.1.

  • analogue outputs
  • N/A
  • digital I/O

  • OUTPUTS

    IEEE 1394 interface on 2x 6-way connectors. The interface outputs dCS-encrypted DSD (1 bit data at 2.822MS/s) whether a CD or SACD is playing.

    2x AES/EBU on 3-pin male XLR connectors. Each outputs CD format data (16 bits at 44.1kS/s), whether a CD or SACD is playing.

    2x SPDIF on 2x RCA Phono connectors. Each outputs CD format data, whether a CD or SACD is playing.

  • word clock I/O

  • INPUT

    Word Clock Output on 1x BNC connector. With the transport in Master mode, a TTL-compatible 44.1kHz word clock derived from the internal crystal oscillator is available on this output. The calibration accuracy when shipped is +/-10ppm, not temperature compensated.

    OUTPUT

    Word Clock Input on 1x BNC connector, accepts standard word clock at 44.1kHz. Sensitive to TTL levels.

  • clock frequencies
  • 44.1kHz in Master Mode.
    Calibrated within +/-10ppm,
    not temperature compensated.
  • residual noise
  • N/A
  • spurious responses
  • N/A
  • filters
  • N/A
  • software updates
  • Updates loaded by CD-R.
  • software version
  • 1.02
  • local control
  • Metal-cased IR remote control provided or RS232.
  • power supply
  • Factory set for 100, 115, 220 or 230  V  AC, 49 – 62Hz.
  • power consumption
  • 20 Watts typical/ 30 Watts maximum.

"Having listened to a lot of great digital over the past few years, I have to put the Paganini at the top of my list."

Jeff Dorgay, Tone Audio

"But it’s not just superb
technically; the most remarkable
thing it does is to make digital music
enjoyable in an unselfconscious way,
just like an excellent analogue system."
 
David Price, HiFi World
Paganini CD/SACD Transport: Rating

Key Features

  • Paganini Transport upsamples Red Book CDs to DSD format and plays SACDs in their native format.
  • All dCS products use a sophisticated multi-mode phase locked loop (PLL), which significantly reduces clock jitter.
  • Faster, 100% accurate DSPs (within the bounds of their resolution) give improved filters revealing yet more fine detail.
  • Higher capacity FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays) give more logic capacity and increase the scope for additional features and enhancements.
  • Improved power supplies give lower running temperature and increased tolerance to AC supply variations.
  • 16-bit micro-controller for a generally improved control system.
  • High grade aluminium chassis and laminated acoustic damping panels, reduce magnetic effects and vibration.
  • The Paganini range features a low-power LCD display that makes the user interface easier to read, keeps the power requirements down and minimises electrical noise.
  • Our ‘soft' approach to programmable logic allows dCS products to adapt to changes in digital formats and add new features by loading new software from a CD.