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
Mitch2,
You are correct. The Antipodes DX rips CDs as uncompressed FLAC files.
For existing files or new files ripped via another device you just copy and paste them to the Antipodes solid state drive via the network. It's all pretty straight forward. I copied over compressed FLAC, wav and DSD files and they all played with no issues.
Thanks Mrpaul, I am glad to hear the DX plays all formats since the dealer loaded some hi-rez music before he shipped the DX unit to me, and the music in the outboard drive attached to my mini is stored in AIFF format.

I am really looking forward to hearing the "USB Audio 5V Off" output from the DX to my Metrum Hex, which uses its own internal PS for USB. I currently run the USB cable from my mini into an ifi Power but only come out with the signal side of the cable thus removing computer power from the USB cable. After the ifi Power, I run the signal only USB cable into the ifi filter, which I attach to the Hex.

Audioengr, short of switching from the Hex to the ODSE (which I am still considering), do any of your products enhance the connection between an Antipodes device and a DAC like the Hex, which has internal USB power?
matt, it does seem like I opened a can of technology we all can learn from, just saying, being able to use state of the art balanced analog interconnect's that I already own is a must!, forget the usb cable method, I do not plan to sale a revolutionary cable that I own, that my friend is very funny!
Mitch2 - the only thing I can recommend in your situation is the Off-Ramp 5 USB converter/Dynamo power supply and my BNC-BNC cable driving the Hex S/PDIF input. These together cost $2318.00. Just the OR5 would probably improve things though at $1299.00. Money back guarantee on all, less shipping.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio