Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

09-10-14: Joecasey
We all drive sport cars for a reason. I enjoy the art/involvement of driving. Later Porsches are definitely superior and easier to drive fast but sometimes I enjoy the rawness of older models. Looking for add a 993, last of air cool and a nice bridge

Joecasey is an a--hole, but I actually agree with the above. Like many audiophiles, I am a closet car guy. My bias has been towards vintage German mobiles, including a 1991 (E34) BMW M5 with Dinan stage II suspension, Dinan chip and UUC motorwerks short shifter, 1989 BMW 735i, 2001 E55 Mercedes, BMW 2008 550is, and a 2005 911. Correct if I am wrong, the newer models leave me cold. Despite the technological leap forward, the quality seems to have sagged. I recently test drove the current generation of Porsches including a Cayman S with PDK, and I was underwhelmed. I found the shorter wheelbase annoyingly bouncy and the PDK soulless. Its just another step in the evolution of driverless cars. The real deal killer for me is the aesthetics. It is part of that lineage of dainty, effeminate mobiles such as the Audi TT and Miata......:/

Agear, I resent that.... My double caramel macchiato is never skinny!

Truth be told, it's a Grande Vanilla Latte with 3 equals. :P

"......considering that at the beginning of this very long journey the original goal was: "Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD....."

In the eyes of the audio world and the professional reviewers, the list of ABSOLUTE TOP TIER DAC for Redbook CD would most likely include the following(not in order of merit) :-
1. dCS Vivaldi stack
2. Berkeley Reference
3. Esoteric Grandioso

Anything lesser would be considered second tier. JMHO.
The audiophile community looks forward to a shoot-out amongst these 3 sources, most likely by an unbiased dealer who carries all these brands.
Cheers!

1. dCS Vivaldi stack
2. Berkeley Reference
3. Esoteric Grandioso

Don't look at me!

I'd rather buy a McLaren 650S Spider for that kind of money! Or put a deposit down on a new office building for my practice!

Hell, for that kind of money I could actually AFFORD a divorce!!!!

Lol.

If the Berkeley Ref at $16,000 comes anywhere close to the sonic quality of the Vivaldi or Grandioso, and it seems to have the potential to do so, going by the reviews so far by CA and TAS, then it would indeed be a very "affordable" top tier DAC.