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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
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! :)
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Most of these clock inputs are word-clock only, which is simply a bad idea.

The Overdrive already has I2S input, which includes word-clock, bit clock and master clock. I am already using this with my Off-Ramp and soon my new Interchange network renderer. Separate external master clocks (2 needed) are only interesting if the external clocks are a lot better than the internal clocks.

A word clock output however is a much better idea. This way the DAC always becomes the master., but the source must have word-clock input and be able to sync to it.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
Ok. Then clock output. Thank you for explaining that.

But how is the internal clock you use in the ODSX (or the ODSE for that matter) compared to the internal clock in the Trinity DAC, the MSB internal clock or the external DCS clock?

What happens with the computer clock (MacMini) when connected via USB to the ODSE? Does the ODSE clock override the Mac's?
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