Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

It is funny. For most of us, it's a very personal thing to sit isolated and pensive, absorbed in our sonic bliss. Yes we all enjoy sharing our passion for both the gear and the music with like minded folk. But since we congress via forum we have no geographic ties and only occasionally have the opportunity to truly share what we discuss. I guess that's what makes the shows nice, we are willing to travel for them sometimes and can sometimes meet and listen together; typically with a great glass of wine. It's infrequent, but wonderful when it happens. The local clubs do offer a more frequent interaction. But my life style, children's age, and wife demands limit my ability to be more frequently involved in that, sadly.

Alright. So, instead of spending a few late hours last night comparing the Antipodes DX to my Mac Mini, I spent my time in the hospital sewing up a few unfortunate soles. I got about 3 songs in before I got paged.

A good friend compared his PC Laptop server (unmodified) to the DX and felt the DX gave up a bit in low frequency extension and truncated trailing edges. He also said the differences were very subtle and opted to stay with his multi-functional and inexpensive laptop as a source.

Abe, I am curious as to what you found the advantages of the DX over the Mac mini were. My first impressions are subtle differences, nothing staggeringly better with the DX. Since I only compared 2 songs it's hard to hang my hat on those impressions, but the DX does have better staging and dimensionality, a tiny bit more "analog" sound. But I agree with my friend that with the DX there MAY be a very subtle loss of low frequency impact and dynamic scale (although in my 2 song comparison it could have simply been the power of suggestion). I admit that it could, and may very likely be, that the DX's representation of those low frequencies is simply less distorted and more accurate, and the Mini is providing a touch of hyperbole. I did not notice a loss of edge detail, but I didn't get to the songs I can more easily hear that on. As Scotty from Star Trek says, "I need more time"

The Allnic D5000 was replaced with one with new tubes and I'll get to it this weekend. I have an Emmlabs Dac2x arriving today. And I have secured access to a well burned in Aesthetix Romulus Signature. And the MBS DAC V with quad usb will be arriving with its specially made power conditioner after RMAF. Other then the infamous Golden Gate, the CAD, Rockna and TotalDAC I will have heard everything else I wanted to. Let's see where this crazy ride will lead us!

Oh, and I guess I do need to decide which speakers are my keepers. I'll keep the suspense running for now.

Finally, my neighbor has decided to go for the Berkeley Reference DAC and the Aurender N10 server as source, which is awesome since I'll be able to borrow both and compare them with what I end up with.

Hazah, I say!

Matt, you are holding up your neighbor's party train. Time to let the Isis go...:)

If you are still having trouble deciding, recruit your wife and kids to assess the two speakers. More than likely, they have better hearing than you do....

Berk ref Dac? Is he buying used? I have a pal who has been waiting for 9 months now. In the meantime, he moved from a Balanced B7 to a Bal GG.

Bruce Brown just got his Bal GG and will be taking to to RMAF and playing thru Cavalli Liquid Gold Headphone amp and Abyss Headphones! Room 8000.

Should be good for all who can make it.

Oh, and I guess I do need to decide which speakers are my keepers. I'll keep the suspense running for now.

Here's a suggestion, keep the Dynaudio and when you and neighbor both need a change, swap speakers.