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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
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
Oh. Alex's post reminded me.
All of that was with the DSD128 setting. To be honest I forgot all about that setting.

I'll listen when I can to DSD64 to see the differences.

There is definitely a recognizable flavor to the PCM to DSD DAC's (DSD-S, Direct Stream, MA1) that I heard. A subtle but identifiable similarity.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Hi Matt, fabulous report as usual! Would you mind giving a quick test of DSD-S in current break-in state using the identical USB wires and PC as you used for the other DACs.... So to isolate the properties of the box from those imparted by the cords.

No, I have no conjecture on whether you will find its sound to be more/less/samely appealing.

G.
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
Guido,

I did. Forgot to mention it. When I started to detect some deficits in performance I swapped back to MY USB cable and alpha digital PC. I wanted to make sure it was not the PC or USB cable affecting my impressions.

I ended up listening to my whole set twice, once with his USB/PC and again with mine. I honestly didn't notice huge differences. My AC is pretty clean to start with. And I'm not sure, honestly, how much a better USB cord makes. But my model of system consistency must be maintained to give accurate results.

I even switched back and forth between Amarra and Audirvana without a huge perceivable difference. Audirvana is way more flexible in what files it plays.
rja's avatar
rja
2,371 posts
 
The Aesthetix are available. Just received mine today.
rsf507
2,337 posts
 
Matt didn't Alex say somewhere that he shipped the DSD-S with like 700 hrs already logged on the unit? (Don't really want to go thru all the threads but I do remember something to this effect).
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