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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
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
I know that Steve is using the XMOS for his new DAC. Gear, I heard the 7's and they just didn't do it for me. Again, there are plenty of digital products that I do like, but I also can't justify the price of some of them as I see too many new products down the immediate pike that will most likely be as good or better and they may possibly be in the 5-7k range or less. I just feel we are in that cycle with the new digital gear with all the break throughs and new knowledge. that bodes well for all of us going forward though.
bill_k
912 posts
 
Matt - No need for any embarrassment please, that was not my intention at all. Just trying to clarify it for others. Wishing you all the best in your extensive search, you are much more patient than most of us audiophiles!
jh901
67 posts
 
Matt- would a chart such as this be of value?

Name| Model| Country| Chief Engineer| D/A | Analog|
Aesthetix Pandora/Romulus USA Jim White
APL DSD-S Bulgaria Alex Peychev
Auralic Vega China Xuanqian Wang
Berkeley Alpha Reference USA Michael Ritter
Boulder 1021 USA Jeff Nelson
CH Precision C1 Switzerland
Chord DAVE UK John Franks
dCS "Ring DAC" UK
EMM Labs DAC2x Canada Ed Meitner
Empirical Audio Overdrive SE USA Steve Nugent
Esoteric Grandioso D1 Japan
exaSound e22 Canada
Jeff Rowland Aeris USA
Lampizator GG Poland Lukasz Fikus
MSB DAC V USA Lawrence Gullman
Nagra HD DAC Switzerland
Playback Designs MPS / MPD - 5 USA Andreas Koch
PS Audio DirectStream USA Ted Smith
totaldac d1-twelve France Vincent Brient
Zanden Model 5000 Japan

If so, then maybe a member or two could assist with D/A conversion design, Analog Out, and Power Supply. Just enough high level info to give some perspective.

Regards,
Josh
agear
1,362 posts
 
07-13-15: Bill_k
Matt - with all due respect I think you may be referring to the XMOS USB input receiver chip, which is used in many high end DACs including the Bricasti M1. CMOS stands for a Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor, a technology for constructing integrated circuits but not related to USB input circuitry.

That is highly amusing. Outing our technical ignorance. We all know just enough to be dangerous. That reality still does not temper our baseline of arrogance and fountain of quick opinions.....
agear
1,362 posts
 
07-13-15: Ctsooner
I know that Steve is using the XMOS for his new DAC. Gear, I heard the 7's and they just didn't do it for me. Again, there are plenty of digital products that I do like, but I also can't justify the price of some of them as I see too many new products down the immediate pike that will most likely be as good or better and they may possibly be in the 5-7k range or less. I just feel we are in that cycle with the new digital gear with all the break throughs and new knowledge. that bodes well for all of us going forward though.

You need to hear it in your own home as you stated. You cannot evaluate a piece via the speed dating of shows. Most digital products sound digital.....therein lies the problem. Maybe George's clever and cheeky suggestion is the answer.....:)
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