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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
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
I have enjoyed reading your audio journey matt, very informative to say the least.
schussor
15 posts
 
@Mattnshilp

Have you played your PCM/red book converted to DSD on the PC/Mac by the player software?

I have been trying this out in a small way as a substitute for the Perfect Wave DSD, which impressed me to no end, and with the new firmware impressed me even more, this time in my own system.

I am thinking that one can have higher quality sound per $ if you do all the conversion math in the computer and exit to DAC a DSD stream via USB (or DLNA ethernet when it is really tried and tested adult tech) and forego a real output stage in the DAC leaving gain to the preamp thus making PS and gain electronics out of the cost equation and having S/PDIF as a convenience utility or not at all rather than being the main input.
ketcham
92 posts
 
I have been consistently impressed with Empirical over the last many years. As new designs are discovered he offers mods at a nominal price. His most recent mod made the SPDIF converter obsolete with the odse. Matt, I agree that quality trumps price and break in time. I am sure the sx price will reflect those quality parts.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Matt -the plan is to put either XMOS USB interface or Network Renderer Ethernet interface on the SX DAC. Still working on the XMOS prototype and almost ready to tape-out the network renderer module.

SX uses the same size chassis, but new panels and a new knob with a diamond in it.

Steve N.
Emmpirical Audio
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Steve, what is the function of the diamond in the volume knob?
G.
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