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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
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
The MP seems to be the one to beat right now.  I'm having Sam come over with the one wiht the built in DAC to compare it to my Mac mini that Steve built and used as his show back up along with my Ayre QX5 DAC that replaced Steve's OSDE/SE.  If ti beats it, I"m all in. I have a feeling, based on Matt and another close friend, that it will beat it with no problem.  
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
Mike - thanks for the hookup. I’m going to do a tad more research to decide if I’m going to keep my Adona and load up on footers (the Trinia look intriguing and Albert is currently doing a head to head with the StillPoint 5’s that shoul yield interesting results), or go for a new rack. I’d also love to get that MSB DAC of yours with dual power supplies Into my room for a test drive. 😇

That Artesania looks cool, but it’s not for me looks wise. I know that’s a stupid reason, but I will be looking at it every day and need to find it attractive.....

Dave - The Modulum looks interesting. But I have a hard time buying into the “absorb the bad vibes and keep the good vibes” concept.

The Roguz looks intriguing as well, but standard shelf sizing is too wide and a triple wide won’t fit between my speakers.

If I go cost affective, the Star Sound Rhythm is the no brainer option. If I go top tier there are many options. Opinions help. But all of these racks have an element of science and an element of voodoo. Oy!!!

All of them say they base it on science and physics and computer modeling; and I believe that. It’s 99 different ways to accomplish the same thing. The issue isn’t if any of it works, the issue is if it makes the gear sound better and musical or worse and dead. And what racks make what gear sound better or worse. And since it’s impractical or impossible to audition anything, the only way to decide is research. 

I just don’t like BS and hand waving. Everyone’s rack design is better then every else’s. Wood is better because it doesn’t kill the music . Steel is better because it isolates. Laminated wood/rubber/granite is best because it absorbs more evenly. Points are better; bearings are better; suspension is better; absorption is better; diffusion is better. Try to stop vibration from getting in, try to absorb vibration going out. No way to compare. No way to decide! I may just keep my current rack for now and upgrade isolation footers as Mike suggested. 
mikelavigne
2,199 posts
 

Matt,

as far as the ’look’ of the Artesania; if you observe pictures of gear on it, it’s the gear itself that jumps out, not the rack. since there are no shelves to hide the gear, only the skeleton of the ’functional structure’. and whether you choose light grey, dark grey, or black as a rack frame color will change how it looks next your wall in room. and with free air flow around your gear, your gear is happier thermodynamically. i have no dog in the fight, since i don’t own Artesania or plan to buy it. only that take the $30k you don’t spend on those other crazy expensive racks, and upgrade that DaV-MP combo to the MSB Select II-SGM. as good as your reference is, there is another step beyond (just my 2 cents, YMMV, and all that stuff). and, of course, both the MSB Select II and the SGM are products created to be constantly upgraded and take the customers with them on that path.

i can’t personally hook you up with an MSB Select II in room demo, but i have a room here for you to stay in should you want to visit and hear it for yourself here in the barn (compared directly to vinyl and tape). and connect with a local MSB dealer (not sure who has a Select II as a demo; I know that ’Mike’ in SW Florida just got a Select II as a demo the same spec as mine--full tilt--he is going nuts over it).

ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
Matt, the other thing that folks never seem to talk about (other than HRS) that I know of, is what type of case are you trying to use the device with. Are the cases solid or are they 'sheets of metal'?  There are differences if I recall correctly.  
wig's avatar
wig
1,274 posts
 
Guys,

I'm considering a Dac again just for Redbook only utilizing my Modwright Marantz SA 8005 Tube CD Player; tried a Berkeley and a Lampizator level 4 with my Modwright Sony 5400 but found them lacking...

Lots of talk about the Yiggy, why and what would you recommend?

Thanks,
Wig
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