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Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Hi All.

Putting together a reference level system.
My Source is predominantly standard 16/44 played from a MacMini using iTunes and Amarra. Some of my music is purchased from iTunes and the rest is ripped from standard CD's.
For my tastes in music, my high def catalogues are still limited; so Redbook 16/44 will be my primary source for quite some time.

I'm not spending DCS or MSB money. But $15-20k retail is not out of the question.

Upsampling vs non-upsampling?
USB input vs SPDIF?

All opinions welcome.

And I know I need to hear them, but getting these ultra $$$ DAC's into your house for an audition ain't easy.

Looking for musical, emotional, engaging, accurate , with great dimension. Not looking for analytical and sterile.
mattnshilp
wisnon
700 posts
 
Matt, Lampi is the only Chipless DSD I know of. PS Audio is FPGA based like Chord, though he uses Transformers at the end. There are no FPGA is Lampi DSD...and no up conversion to quasi PCM. No additives, no preservatives.

Lampi PCM is Dac chip based though.

As a couple reviewers have said...there in NOTHING in digital that sounds like Lampi DSD.

AS for XMOS vs Amanero, do we argue about what batteries are in iPhones vs Samsung S4's? We dont care because its the overall phgone performance that matters.

I wont be able to answer for a few days as I an in the Costa Brava in Catalunya, Spain for a days.
wisnon
700 posts
 
Matt, I never heard a 6 and it didnt have the same Amanero implementation ,as B6's didnt have DSD unless Lukasz did a special.

My Amanero experience is limited to B7 and DSD-only L4.

Right now I feed my B7 with a MM and Regen with Corning Cable and its stellar.
agear
1,362 posts
 
07-15-15: Ctsooner
Gear, I fully understand. I don't go to shows, or at least I haven't in ages and if I do, it will be to see friends rather than evaluate gear. Would be fun though I'm sure. I agree that I would need to hear in my own system. That's more than fair. When I mention sounding digital, it basically means that I haven't totally relaxed and given into the music. I will say that with all the high rez stuff I've been listening to, it's much much closer and it does so many great things that vinyl can't do. That's a big reason I spent the money on digital a year or so earlier than I thought I was going to. I'm looking just as forward to the new gear as the rest of you. I was told about a couple of pieces that can't be mentioned yet that I can't wait to hear (other than the Ayre gear I mentioned). It's an exciting time and this thread shows that.

Ctsoooner, I share you r sonic bias. My primary source material is digital, but I am not generally a fan of the medium and find vinyl/tape better. The Lampi has gotten more closer but there is still more to learn in terms of optimizing things. My superb sound was recently upended by a firmware update in my Aries (I think). That shows you the potential degree of fickleness of digital. It rivals anything in analog. I think mechanical and electrical grounding schemes, power conditioner, and transports can all alter your performance notably. Its annoying TBH....
ctsooner's avatar
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
Gear, I love my OSDE. I truly do or I would have sold it. I am also using Steves's old music server with high end AQ cables in balanced mode. It's close, but I expect even more due to high rez. The recordings are all very good too.

You mentioned tape and that's a different ball game. Master tape at 25ips (I think that's the speed) is just special. I would die to hear a great tape deck and master tapes in my system. I used to make production tape in college when I was in the industry Fun day's
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

07-14-15: Agear
Maybe George's clever and cheeky suggestion is the answer.....:)


If one has the technical know how and measurement test CD an oscilloscope, it quite simple to do a bleed resistor for a 20hz to 20khz, soldered across left and right output, for a total reduction to 30db channel separation, takes about 10mins to do. And you can make it switchable on the fly.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ddgtl&1398132150&openflup&2078&4#2078

Cheers George
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