Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Audiophiles are highly insecure by nature...we contantly need validation from resources, publications, friends, etc...and the industry knows this..truth be told...there have been a lot fewer "quantum leap" products than the industry will care to admit...that being said...this is an exciting age...as the improvement of downloads suggests

Matt, Are you going to officially conclude this shoot-out over?, Have you crowned the Empiracal audio ODSE the winner? or do you have some goodies coming down the turn pike, like The Romulas that I question, As to why it never made this dog fight, like I said, There is more than one place to get a Aeshetix pandora signature, Romulas signature, I bet the factory them selfs would indulge in such a shoot out here considering all the exsposure of views that you could tell Aesthetix of, cheers.

Funny you ask, as I have been perseverating about that.

To be honest, I really want to hear the Romulus Sig. I will reach out to Aesthetix this week and see what they say.

I'm also intrigued by the next level Esoteric K-01x coming out soon. But it's price is extravagant compared to the other DAC's I've been hearing.

And although I have been repeatedly warned by some members on this thread, I am nonetheless intrigued by the Ayon CD5s and CD3sx, and would love to hear one.

But, I am thrilled with my ODSE and could happily live with it forever, it's that good. I'm trying to fight my pathologic need to constantly try something else that might be better. Anything that would beat the ODSE will do it by hairs, not buy leagues. I can't honestly imagine it getting much better (with my Mac mini source) then what the ODSE gives me, unless Steve betters his own product (upgrades the ODSE or maybe even a new, higher tier DAC)

The excess funds I had to buy some extra pieces of kit have now been redirected to a very expensive back yard project. And I want to work on a dedicated listening room - which will give me WAY bigger SQ improvements then changing my DAC.

So I guess the short answer is, yes I am done. Long live King ODSE!

If I have the opportunity to audition any other DAC's I will post. I am still aggressively interested in getting a Romulus in to hear. If I do, I will start as I usually do with my typical "UPDATE."

So keep checking the thread. Thanks to all!!!

Feel free to continue on here as the conversation seams to always weave in an interesting direction.

UPDATE: (That was quick. Lol.)

Ok, so I shot out a bunch of emails to see if I can arrange some additional auditions. Emails were sent to companies that I received high volume PM's for DAC's & Transport/DAC's to include in the shoutout.

I have already heard back from two that are interested and checking into product availability.

I'll keep you posted.

Awsome!, Thanks Matt, I understand that the ODSE is it, no problem from me at all, just saying, we should all pitch in one way or the other to keep the shoot out rolling, maybe someone else out there can chime in on some comparison findings between two or more digital products, I have learned more than I can read about in magazines from here, and it's fun to interact with whats going on that you cannot do with a magazine!