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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
agear
1,362 posts
 
I've had music lovers (and musicians) question this hobby. I get it. Its a razor's edge when it comes to the balance between music and sonics and equipment. Its easy to become a sound whore and drift away from that first love of music. This and other audio sites are a testament to that. I have done it....
wisnon
700 posts
 
So true Geardaddy, so true...
jwm
918 posts
 
I don't think they lack it as to they just don't care. My brother loves going to live Symphony but is not interested in music at all at home.
jh901
67 posts
 
Reproduced sound is OUR passion though and certainly we can expect only a select few to get it. If that weren't the case, then we'd have to expect ourselves to dive head-long into everyone's passions.

Matt- I'm going to be real curious to see how your digital front end turns out in several months once the speakers and other pieces are in place. I'd simply recommend not to forget the critical role that the digital mastering engineer plays in what we hear. Whereas not all vinyl is cut equally, likewise, not all CD mastering efforts are equal. -Josh
agear
1,362 posts
 
Here is an interesting vignette shared by a friend of mine: a speaker manufacturer has a young autistic son. His son would typically play in the room while Dad was fiddling and voicing the speakers. He used master tape, vinyl, and vinyl rips to digital as source material. When master tape or vinyl was used, his child stayed in the room. When digital was used, he would play for a few minutes and then leave the room. So, we need digital reproduction that will not drive children and/or small animals from the room.

The whole scenario made me think of this experiment: http://www.stereophile.com/features/203/
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