Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

George - While I appreciate the sound quality of DSD, I believe that digital recordings are best represented in whatever format they were originally mastered in. So to my ears music that was originally mastered in DSD sounds best when converted to analog directly, and likewise PCM mastered material sounds best when converted from PCM. A lot depends upon the specific DAC being used though, as some excel in either DSD or PCM and may sound better in their best format even with converted files. Nothing in audio is absolute, there are many differing opinions on this topic. I'm not certain about your last question, but I don't think that DoP support necessarily indicates that a Delta Sigma chip is being used. I'm sure someone here will speak up to correct me if I'm wrong about that.

Thanks Bill you kind of echo my thoughts.

From my listening experience if originally recorded in PCM 16/44.1 then the best way to listen is via proper implemented R2R ladder Multibit dac 16/44.1 conversion.

If that same 16/44.1 is played back using Delta Sigma, it worse tha the Multibit

Again if that same recording is re-done into DSD (HiRez) and played back via Delta Sigma type dac to me it is still worse.

The only time DSD "may" to me sound better, is when it's recorded from the beginning using DSD, not that I have ever heard it yet.
And I would like to hear normal mainstream artist, not special one offs of obscure artist/bands just to show off the DSD format.

Cheers George

As it stands I believe I am the first in the world to have this system and I am utterly disgusted at al of you for not thinking of it sooner. It is the proverbial "No Brainer".

Matt,

I enjoyed your 'poke' at all of us audio nerds who take ourselves too seriously. yes.....we can get carried away and self absorbed. but if it makes each day a little richer and makes the music reproduction better then what the heck. anyway thank you for entertaining us and I can't believe you have not had more comments.....are we really that caught up in our own stuff?

I have to admit that I'm typically as bad as anyone.

time to lighten up.....

cheers!

Paul, you are always OK with me man. I was away for 4 days and so couldn't respond.

Keep your suggestions coming. Sorry if I made it seem like they are not welcome...they are!

Bill_k, DOP needs computer time to convert back to DSD, that latency means more processing time. It is much better to keep DSD in DSD. It is true that it is all just math but DOP require more computation and choosing what to do with in-between numbers.