The AudioWorks

dCS Scarlatti News

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 09:58:49 +0000

The dCS Scarlatti system has been provided the ultimate reference point for us since it's launch. The system, well in particular the Scarlatti DAC, has just received a step change improvement in performance. The latest Scarlatti DACs when supplied with a DSD signal, either from upsampled DSD or SACD, gives a significantly improved performance over the previous Scarlatti DAC.

Upsampled CD (or computer audio upsampled by a dCS upsampler) sounds very significantly better in terms of dynamic range and timing, SACD if anything seems to have benefitted even more!

If you were contemplating a Scarlatti system, or were considering upgrading your old dCS DAC, then now is the time to do it. Note, great dCS trade in offers are still available for owners of older kit.

Customers who have an older Scarlatti DAC, fret not! This change has been implemented through a software update. Contact us for more details.

The Music Project - National Audio Show 2010

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:23:54 +0000

We know that we are lucky enough to represent some of the most musically capable Hi Fi available. We also know that this equipment only gives it's best when partnered with similarly capable kit, set up with care and attention. What is exciting for us is that the manufacturers themselves appreciate this situation and are ready and willing to work with each other, and ourselves to realise the potential of their products.

At the National Audio Show, at Whittlebury (September 25, 26) we will be showing a system that reflects this 'collaborative' approach in the Woodcote room under the title 'The Music Project'.

The collaboration involves: dCS, Focal, David Berning, MusicWorks & MIT products, under the auspices of ourselves and Blade Audio.

Arcam rDAC Now in Stock

Sat, 21 Aug 2010 11:03:34 +0000

We have been anticipating the Arcam rDAC for some time now as a cost effective, universal gateway for computer audio into a good Hi Fi system. The rDAC comprises 3 inputs, Coaxial, Optical and USB and provides digital to analogue conversion to feed the auxilliary input of any Hi Fi system. Applications include:

Laptop / PC connection via USB

high quality D/A conversion for set top box / Sky (+/HD) box

input from games consoles etc.

upgrade for older / cheaper CD players

The USB input is based around the same technology as that developed by dCS and features reclocking of the USB signal to improve sound quality.

The Arcam rDAC is £300, and is available from stock.

dCS Puccini CD (SACD) / U-Clock

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 08:29:22 +0000

Very rarely does a product offer such superiority over its competition that to hear it is to know that you are in the presence of something remarkable. Even more rarely does this product get the universal acclamation it deserves from the Hi Fi press.

Well, the dCS Puccini with it's associated master clock (U-clock with patented asynchronous USB input) has just received yet another adulatory (and accurate) review courtesy of the current issue of Hi Fi Plus magazine.

If you buy a top flight integrated player without hearing the dCS Puccini, then, I guess you get what you deserve.

David Berning Amplifiers

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 18:08:31 +0000

We are delighted to announce that we have been appointed one of the only two dealers in the UK olffering the remarkable David Berning amplifiers. If you have been keeping an eye on the goings on in High End audio, you will know that these products are creating a mighty stir.

This was of academic interest to most people when only the Quadrature Z monoblocks were available (at £22,000 / pair) . Now, however, the new ZOTL Pre One and ZH230 stereo power amplifier are available for £7,500 each. This makes owning a David Berning amplifier a more realistic prospect for a lot of people.

These new products are now on demonstration.

New MusicWorks Power Cables

Sat, 20 Feb 2010 15:14:42 +0000

Two new MusicWorks mains leads are now available, and on demonstration. The new leads feature the Furutech 13A UK mains plug, and the top lead also includes the top of the range Furutech IEC plug. All existing MusicWorks mains lead owners are entitled to a trade in depending on product and age of trade in.

These cables represent a very significant step forward on previous cables

MusicWorks ReVive 'Lite' IEC power cable - a compound screened mains lead with Furutech 13A Rhodium plated mains plug - £350.

MusicWorks ReVive IEC power acble - a compound screened mains cable with all metal parts cryogenically treated, featuring Furutech 13A Rhodium plated 13A plug, and Furutech FI-50R IEC plug - £750.

Contact the shop for details.

MIT Oracle MA-X Has Landed

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:15:41 +0000

It may not (quite!) be the world's most expensive speaker cable, but it has a very good claim on being the best. We now have this remarkable speaker cable on demonstration - by appointment only, please.

We had the pleasure of running it in at the recent Northern Sound & Vision Show in Manchester, where, even under reasonably adverse circumstances, it was showing us some things that we have never heard before.

For Robert Harley's take (The Absolute Sound Magazine) on the Oracle MA cable:Click Here

dCS Debussy - High End Digital Connectivity

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 16:58:03 +0000

Currently being Unveiled at The High End Show in Las Vegas is the dCS Debussy USB DAC. This is a bargain basement product for dCS, and features a fully configured Ring DAC based digital to analogue converter with USB input. Other inputs include S/PDIF, optical and dual AES supporting sample rates up to 192 kb/s.

The price of the Debussy is £7,500, and delivery will be available from the end of Feb 2010.

Digital Connectivity with Onkyo ND-S1 Dock

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:20:55 +0000

This little device performs some seriously impressive interfacing for i-pod and computer users who have a high quality music or A/V system.

Firstly, it is an i-pod docking station, but with a difference. The digital data on the i-pod is accessed allowing an external high quality D/A converter to decode and output the music to achieve the highest possible quality.

Secondly, a USB connection allows PC / Laptop users to output their music files to their Hi Fi or A/V system in the same way.

The unit comes complete with remote control, and is £150.

Objet d'Art ? & AWARD WINNER!

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:17:27 +0000

The MusicWorks ReVo Table has won the Hi Fi Plus 'Product of the Year' award in the category Stands & TablesLink to Hi Fi Plus Article HERE

Purity of form often comes from the pursuit of purity of function. The beauty in the shape of a Stradivarius violin is the inevitable consequence of making the world's finest sounding violin.

We have been asked which industrial design company came up with the design of the ReVo table. to the questioner's surprise, the answer is none. The ReVo table is the consequence of form following function!

The truism that a well set up modestly priced system can outperform much more expensive kit that is less well set up is easily demonstrated using the ReVo. In fact in a recent Thursday evening listening session, all seven listeners preferred the good £550 CD player on the ReVo to the excellent £4,000+ CD player on our previous reference!

ReVo 100% acrylic 3 tier equipment table £895 (10mm acrylic) £1250 (15mm acrylic).

For a short period, customers who have purchased a Quadraspire / MusicWorks acrylic reference table from us can save 25% on the above prices.

This could easily be the most important Hi Fi product that we have heard in the last 10 yrears.