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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
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

Just because it's got an R to R doesn't make it, by default, better.

If staying with the title of this thread "Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD" I think it does.

As from all I've heard, a well implemented R2R Ladder Multibit Dac whether chip or discrete, run rings around Delta Sigma and all it's variants that are said to be "the best" implementation of it also.

R2R Ladder Multibit from what I've heard gives a jump factor, lower mid body and general excitement to the music. Delta Sigma while smooth is unexciting in comparison when doing RedBook.

Cheers George
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
George. I disagree. But I guess we will agree to disagree.

My experience has shown me otherwise. But there's no fault in you making a stand. I just worry that others reading this thread will read that it MUST be R2R to be the best and I believe that to not be the case. There are many exceptional dacs out there that make red book sound wonderful, engaging, exciting and musical that do not implement R2R designs.

Truth is, system synergy will have everything to do with which DAC you chose. Listen and try.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

Ricevs right, the AD1955 is bit of a hybrid a 5bit Multibit and Delta Sigma, no R2R ladder. And far cheaper to manufacture than say a real R2R Ladder like the PCM1704K.

Sounds like an each way bet on the cheap, trying to get what Multibit can do yet still do DSD.

Cheers George
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
Mattnshilp.
I only want the best for RedBook replay, as your title states you want also. I have no interest in "Hirez" from what I've heard from it. Because the chips that do do it, don't do RedBook for me as good as Ladder Multibit chips can do.

There seems to be a strong growing trend of the big boys with their top line dacs and cdp going back to using R2R Multibit if not in chip form by doing their own discrete version. This must say something as well.

Cheers George
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
I'm not disagreeing that there are R2R dacs that make great music. I'm just saying that there are dacs that are not R2R that also make red book sound great. I don't believe in absolute statements.

I also agree with many here who have said that the recording typically sounds best in its natively recorded format. And that hi-Rez or DSD or red book matter less then reproducing them in their native format and letting them sound their best. I've heard incredible DSD, hi Rez PMC and red book all sound musical and engaging....
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