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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
dragon_vibe
430 posts
 
Playback Design has the Syrah Server, its a optimised computer. This is something you should look into.

SOTM makes great gear and some of the other companies use their parts internally.
ctsooner's avatar
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
Looks like he may be looking at Playback.  The more this thread goes and the more I think bout my own situation, I'm leaning heavily towards maybe keeping my MacMini and just put a 1T SSD in it for my CD collection (not sure it can handle what I have, but probably close) and call it a day, lol.  

I need to get some of the better servers in my system if I'm able to, but the Aurender is just a great unit for the costs.
exogal_ceo
20 posts
 
I saw the nice comments that the user "mattnshilp" made about the Comet DAC and his musings around "getting together a group buy".

We don't normally follow this forum and I'm not sure of the rules. So forgive the following possibly stupid question: Are we allowed to offer a deal to the followers of this thread?

Jeff
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
Hi Jeff, welcome aboard! I don’t know the answer to that question as it’s never come up here before. I think the solution would be to make an offer and anyone interested can PM you to get on board. Shoot the admin a PM at the same time to confirm it’s ok.

If possible, I feel that Larry from Distinctive Stereo would deserve something since he was the one who introduced me to it and suggested a demo. He lent me the unit and I have had it at home for a week enjoying it. Anyone with headphones needs to hear this thing! It’s awesome and a ridiculous value! And I’m sure it sounds equally great with a 2 channel rig. But if not for Larry, this rave would not have occurred. Lol.

I am getting nothing from Larry nor Jeff for this outpouring of "this thing is awesome!"

But it is!

One request Jeff.... can you increase the gain on the headphone amp a bit? The headphone out strugggled with lower efficiency headphones. Unless your running IEM’s, the volume when set to Headphone out is useless until over 80.

I also just started my new Headphone thread on Head-Fi!!!!

https://www.head-fi.org/f/threads/65-headphones-7-dac-amps-1-persons-opinion-oh-my.854984/

Jeff, you may want to offer the group buy there also!! If you can.
ctsooner's avatar
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
Matt, you crack me up.  I love it.  Guys, he texts me all the time about can's as I'm into them a lot.  He still needs to try a pair of Noble IEM's, lol.  He will in time I'm sure.

Very cool of the company to make this offer.   I know on other boards offers for board members happen all the time. I don't see a problem with it and if there is, folks can just go to head-fi's thread and do it over there.  Not a big deal as this is about we the customer I would think.  Very kind thing to do.
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