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
Mike Lavorgna did a great write up on the Sound Galleries room:

http://www.audiostream.com/content/lampizator-hq-player-audiopax-avante-garde-digital-done-right
CTsooner - to answer a question you asked in another thread in January that I just saw, no. I am not looking at the Stella Utopia any more. I think it would be my dream speaker, but it's just too big for my small to medium sized room. As I continue to treat, set up and tweak my room I realize that it is small for a truly ideal Statement level system, sigh. The Evolution MM3's are equally sensational but I just couldn't find the perfect spot for them in my room that I was happy with. I did get a 6'x6'x6' equilateral triangle settled sort of in the middle of the room to sound best. But it was nearfield and sounded more like I was wearing the speakers then listening to them. Just too big for my room. It taught me that I really need to respect my rooms size constraints to find the best for my room.

I'm going to post a brief speaker opinion on my virtual system thread.
EA MM2 is great!!! Quite a Statement themself.

I heard both in the same room for 2 whole days...
I can't stop thinking about the sound from the two Perfect8 rooms at THE Newport show. I'm not sure which I liked better, The Cube or The Point. Both literally vanished in the room; I've never heard that happen before to that extend. Just wow.