Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Elizabeth,
Your observation is astute and one I can certainly relate to. I’ve (comfortably) accepted my probably minority position of finding Redbook CD generally more natural sounding than SACD when comparing them. This goes against the grain but it is what I consistently hear. Interesting that you’ve had similar findings. The "inky black" (black hole as you put it) background devoid of any sense of ambience (room) presence always struck me as artificial and un-natural.

This again goes against the grain for many audiophiles and I understand that. Mitch2 alludes to this in regard to his experiences with class D amplifiers and I get his point. One thing is certainly undeniably true, we all hear and interpret what we hear very differently. Despite the criticism of 16/44.1 often receives in terms of it’s supposed limitations I find it an excellent sounding medium with the right playback equipment.
Charles

I've found that some DACs do a good job with PCM, other DACs do a good job with DSD, and few DACs do a good job with both.

There are so many types and qualities of DSD recordings. Some are made direct to DSD in the most modern of studios and many are made from old analog or PCM masters with a wide range of qualities.

I know that "sterile" DSD character you guys are referring to, and I think that is more a characteristic sound of specific DACs and specific recordings than a universal limitation of DSD. 

I've heard some DSD recordings sound breathtaking and lifelike.

I've heard some sound worse than the average CD.

I've heard some that were very impressively resolving but with a weird "sterile" background.

I could make similar comments about CDs and other PCM recordings.

Hello fuzzbutt17,
Good points you've made. I wasn't indicting DSD as a whole as I haven't the extensive exposure to do so. Elizabeth's "black hole" comment was on the mark IMO at least in regard to SACDs I've heard, nothing more. 
Charles 

mitch21,597 posts04-15-2018 6:29pm

One of my complaints about SACD is they all seem to have no ’room’ played in. The music all seems to ’magically’ float out of a black hole. Stripped of any ambience.

Interestingly, this is in the ballpark of describing my issue with the Class D amplification I have owned.  

Not all Class D should be described in this way, in fact quite the opposite in some cases.