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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
dgarretson
2,599 posts
 
Audiolabyrinth, that streamer is almost here, but may require some DIY:

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/twisted-pear/250583-building-open-embedded-audio-applicance-112.html
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
Lumin makes a Music Server/DAC/balanced analog out. All you need is an amp I think.

I'm figuring out a lot with music servers. Wow are they different.
wisnon
700 posts
 
A Streamer Dac is not the same as a pure streamer! I have said this repeatedly. A pure Streamer is a digital device and can have only digital volume control.

I dont understand the confusion here, as I never said a Streamer Dac cant do analog VC. A Dac must be in the chain to get to analog and to thus have analog VC.

Lumin is a DAC, this Krell mentioned above is a Dac. No problem to have analog VC with a DAC, no matter what other upstream functions are in the box.

Devialet amps are Streamer/Amp/Dac and I am pretty sure they have analog VCs. Others like Goldmund have the speakers with built in amp and Dacs an you use a digital processor to stream to them.
wisnon
700 posts
 
Also, to do a proper streamer Dac, analog preamp, one would need an army of programmers and support staff to maintain, support and inprove the control point software...those neat apps that everyone loves.

Lumin and Auralic have like 20+ such people on their staff. Yes, there are generic version of such software that can be used, but the support requirements would kill a one man operation...
jkmnop's avatar
jkmnop
9 posts
 
I just received my PerfectWave back from PS Audio. Had it upgraded to DirectStream. It is far and away the best $3,000 I've ever spent on any audio equipment. You said you wanted "Looking for musical, emotional, engaging, accurate , with great dimension. Not looking for analytical and sterile."; IMHO this is it. I have Kharma CRM 3.2 speakers, speakers often deemed "analytical", and before this upgrade I was considering swapping them out for something more "musical". Now I can't get up from my couch. This is one of those rare pieces of equipment that makes you want to listen to your entire library anew. It's simply beautiful.

Lastly, reviews of this unit talk about detail retrieval. This is quite true but not in an aggressive fashion. Your reaction isn't, "Wow! That's a lot of detail." but "Hmmm. I hadn't noticed that."

Post lastly, I've never auditioned or heard another top-end DAC so I may not know what I don't know, so.... Good luck.
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