Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

There are so many great DAC's these days. Some require more effort, some more $$$, some more room, some more cable. I could probably put a list together of the ten or so DAC's that's are keeping everyone excited. For example, the Phasure is supposed to be great, but requires the same tweaking and effort that a tube roller puts in to get that last bit of performance. I can tell you that even playing with the 3 upsampling settings and 3 filter settings on my k-01 was a timely process (of course, it was necessary and I found the best settings for me, but timely and tweaks nonetheless). The famed DCS stack has an impeccable reputation if your ok with 4 units taking up space and all of the expensive interconnects/power cords to feed them (upsampler/DAC/clock/transport) - I'm not; too costly and too much room occupied. Then, of course, there are the tubed wonders of the DAC world; Zanden, Ypsilon, Lampy, Wavelength, Aesthetix, etc - all different prices, all wonderful in the right system. I think that the Lampy 7, Romulus and Zanden are standing tall in their respective price points. Then we have MBS and Trinity which both intrigue me, as well as Alex's top tier M DAC which I hope to hear sooner or later. And of course, Steve is working on an uber version of my ODSE, the ODSX.

Yes, I am a card carrying member of the Taste Every Chocolate In The Box club. It's who I am; and why tube gear and solid state kit like the Phasure are not as intriguing to me. I'm learning so much as I progress. It's not just what's the best, because that's a silly concept; it's what's best in your system, with your ears and your room and your audio processing equipment in your brain.

That said, I do really want to hear the Allnic DAC and the Romulus SE and I would look forward to someone bringing over a Lampy 7 to listen to as well. I have read enough now to hear that there is a significant difference in sound between the 6 I heard so long ago and the current top tier 7. Although I will quite flatly say that I would prefer a solid state DAC in my rack unless a tubed variant blows me away. It's not tube replacement that bothers me (DAC's don't chew through tubes like amps and preamps), but the constant need to seek out the magic NOS tube to get the kit another step closer; it would eventually drive me to misery.

I'd like to hear that Light Harmonic DaVinci, Trinity DAC and the MSB Diamind DAC just to know what that level offers in comparison to what I currently own and have tasted.

I'm in the final stages of upgrading my system quite dramatically. I'll report more when it's finalized, although it's not really a surprise. Needless to say the system is taking a huge step towards a higher level of resolution, subtlety, finesse, dynamics, spacial definition and all around musical orgasmatronicon.

Oops. Forgot to add the Berkely super DAC lest someone berate me. It keeps falling off my radar because it doesn't have a USB input. And the current Mike Lavigne selection, Playback Designs. Or the really cool looking Antelope, which I have not heard but have read great things about. Or the Concert Fidelity tube DAC, which has its own cult following. So many to chose from.... We are lucky to have such wonderful choices. And in the right room, each can give their owner the magic we all so intensely seek.

Mattnshilp,
I mentioned the Trinity Dac on this thread several months back. I think it's one of the best out there although I have not heard it.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ddgtl&1398132150&openflup&1100&4#1100

Guys, I"m not trying to be a smartass at all, but how can any of us make a statement that something is of the best or sounds great if we haven't heard it? Just because something gets big press doesn't mean it sounds good and just because it it expensive or even costs more than another product doesn't mean it sounds better.

The one constant in this thread and the reason most are still interested is that Matt is actually listening to everything. Do I have Matt's ear? No, but the way he is sharing makes me think that I get a really good idea of what things can sound like IF they match my own system/room. It's a starting place and that's why some small companies need or love a thread like this as it helps them get their name out etc... It also keeps reminding me why I'm still a brick and mortar guy. I understand better why many of you love to just get stuff on the net and resell if you don't like it. When I was younger, I'd have been THAT guy possibly.

4orreal, this isn't against you at all. I know it seems that way, but please read closer to what my beef is and I think you'll understand. Again, it's my thing and not others. Thanks.

I will be doing my digital in a year or so as I want to wait a bit as things are just getting going. I wonder how dated these devices will get in two years from now??? That's a major reason some of us aren't 'on the bus' yet an are using a sub 1500k DAC and aren't even streaming yet etc... This thread continues to stay a classic and relevant because it's up to date and when things are upgrades, we hear about them right away. Thanks again Matt. Hope I haven't threadjacked...

4orreal - yes you did. My bad. I love that, like my ODSE, it is designed to sound its best from its USB input and that it is a single box solution with the up sampling software and clock built in (like the MSB). I am surprised it doesn't have an external power supply like the MSB, but the designer actually went from a 3 box system with left and right power supply isolated and external to a single unit with built in PS. And the listening test I read about with it being compared to the DCS described is as more Musical. Color me intrigued.

As sources migrate over time from transport to server (which I think will be the trend) I am curious to see how that affects utilization of interconnect modality. According to the Trinity designer, USB is the best method to transfer asynchronous bytes. From what I understand, his transport is designed to best send signal via USB. I always thought I2S was the most direct path from transport to DAC. I have also read that many now think that Ethernet will be the best signal path for future digital.

Good things are coming my friends.