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Worlds best DAC

Went to CES this year to work on my transition to high Rez digital. I've heard many of the highly regarded players in my room or in others systems in the past. I'm actually very happy with my current cd based sound. As I listened to various DACS playing CD then high Rez, I was not bowled over. High rez was better, but only slightly so. The best (and most different) sound I heard happened to have one similarity. They were 2 non oversampling DACS with tube analog stages(Zanden and Ypsilon). These were without question the most natural sounding digital systems I heard at the show. They made CDsound miles ahead of high Rez. What gives?

PS: I understand the limitations of show auditions.
bflowers
joncourage
185 posts
 
I should add that if anyone wants to swing by with a $20k transport I'm up for the comparison! (Tampa Fl area).
joncourage
185 posts
 
Oh yeah, another one that stood out to me was a MacBook pro feeding an ayre qb-9. That sounded incredibly good. Might actually be my favorite front end after mine. Of course, that's also computer files.

I really want to stress that I am by no means an audiophile expert, just another amateur listening to as many things as I can conveniently come across. And as I've said the circles I run in don't include front ends costing upwards of 10, 20k, etc.

So, all in context.
edorr
714 posts
 
I think we are too hung up on the merits of "computer files" versus "CDs". They are both the exact same data. What matters are the timing errors in the transfer of this data to the DAC. In typical synchronous transfer mode, the transport provides the clock to the DAC, so it stands to reason that whatever transport provides the most accurate clocking sounds the best. You can get USB converters with very good clocks - better than what you find in any CD transport. This is why with the top notch hardware computer audio typically beats CD.
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
what might be worth doing is to compare a "hi rez" file or disc , with the redbook version.

i have done this, as i own, several reference recording cds and hi rez discs.

i found that one is different but not better than the other.

i have also been thinking about the quest for the world's best.... (fill in the component).

it should be obvious, that since audio is a subjective subject, there will always be differences in opinion as to one component being better than another.
lloydelee21
1,202 posts
 
Hi Mr. Tennis,

I have been reading your posts for years...ever since i first got onto AGon many years ago. Thanks for continuing to contribute.

I have read pretty much every post you ever made about Zanden...and i know something of your stated preferences for older tubed equipment. Personally, i think much tubed equipment struggled the last 5 years to get the switch from golden hue to clarity...it got a bit sterile/white in imho. However, the current latest units (CJ GAT) really feel like they managed to take the golden hue, release the thickened bits and retain the golden light bit...

On that note, have you ever spent time with the Zanden Transport? Would REALLY appreciate your guidance, as i own the Zanden Signature and despite waiting 5 years for computer audio to match SOTA transports...i have found the Zanden Transport keeps calling as the price (and CD prices!) continue to drop.

Any advice on the benefit of the Zanden Transport (compared to my little blu-ray player)?? Thank you!
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