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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
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,500 posts
 
Or you can buy the new .001uf Duelund silver bypass caps from Parts Connextion for under $100 and...

Steve, let the Jupiter caps break in as they have never sounded the way you describe. They actually have a more airy top end compared to the CAST caps after proper break-in. This has been my experience in tube gear and speakers. Never tried them in a dac however.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,500 posts
 
Correction - New Duelund CAST silver .01uf caps. They are $89 and bypass with the CAST copper to see what you get. I have not tried these and have no idea what they sound like with a CAST copper cap?
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Granny - .01uFd Duelunds are even too small for bypass. You need at least .2uFd.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,500 posts
 
Steve, not on a 1uf or smaller output cap......
mrpaul
67 posts
 
I have been following this thread with great interest since it's inception. Today I finally pulled the trigger and ordered what will most likely be my last DAC. The final 3 candidates were DACs from Empirical Audio, Bricasti and Lampizator. Unfortunately there is no possible way to listen to any them here in the Middle East. The winner teams up with the Antipodes DX server and CAD USB cable. After reading everything I could find for each DAC I selected the Lampizator Golden Gate DAC. Now comes the 4 week wait while the DAC is built. It's going to be a long 4 weeks.
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