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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
4orreal
91 posts
 
Matt,
Did you at least get to try the Trinity so that you can compare the sound to the ODSX Diamond when it's ready? I have no doubt the ODSX would be special but until you compare it to the others in your system, you can't put the OSDX on top.

I know the Trinity has bested the DCS and MSB stacks from what I have read, so I would love to hear a comparison between the Trinity, BerkelEy Reference and the ODSX.
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
LOL.

No. It retails for $53k and was still crazy expensive, even with my great price. And it wasn't local; so I would have been paying a fortune for a DAC I have never heard. I have also read it bests all else out there no matter what the cost, but with all of my other current expenses and projects its beyond my reach. If the deal is still available in a few months I might jump on it. I'd rather upgrade my speakers to either Evolution Acoustics MM2's or Focal Utopia 3 Stella's with that money (which would unquestionably yield HUGE improvements), or do all the cabinetry in my home office, or build an outdoor fireplace then upgrade my DAC at that cost.

Because the DAC and music server are so tech dependent and will likely be upgraded/replaced every few years I am more hesitant to spend mega bucks on them. We all know that great pre-amps, speakers and amps can last forever without ever really being "outdated".... But even the absolute top tier $50K+++ DAC from 10 years ago is practically worthless now on resale and easily bested by the average current $2500- DAC.

I love Steve's products. And, he is constantly fiddling and upgrading them and making those upgrades available to his customers for a reasonable price; not just discontinuing the product and replacing it with a different one. I really like that business model. It creates very loyal customers...
wisnon
700 posts
 
Actually a used Pacific Microsonics PM2 DAC/ADC will likely cost more than $20K used!
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Matt - I'm not worried. SX slays them all.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
Steve, any thought about having an external clock input on your SX to allow using the clock from an external source or external clock? It's a feature many look for in a reference level DAC.

Don't hold back. Cost no object. Blow us away! :)
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