Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

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.....:)

Agear- I don't think Bill meant it like that. I was kidding with him afterwards. We all make mistakes about gear names and tech. I'm not perfect and I appreciate being corrected. Hell, I'm married 20 years- I don't think I've been right in at least 19 years!!! :)

I'm very curious to see if his new generation of dacs can beat the current generation. Let's see.....

Curious if THIS new generation.....

Josh - that's an interesting list idea. I don't need the names of the designers but it would be interesting to see if i gravitate towards similar tech dacs (type of chip, ladder, chipless, etc). It might help me narrow my search in the future.

I know the Rowland DAC was software based and I loved it. But the PS Audio is chipless also and I didn't like it so much.... The APL was excellent and I love my ODSE. Anyone know, off the top of their head, which chip the apl and ODSE use?

Gear, I fully understand. I don't go to shows, or at least I haven't in ages and if I do, it will be to see friends rather than evaluate gear. Would be fun though I'm sure. I agree that I would need to hear in my own system. That's more than fair. When I mention sounding digital, it basically means that I haven't totally relaxed and given into the music. I will say that with all the high rez stuff I've been listening to, it's much much closer and it does so many great things that vinyl can't do. That's a big reason I spent the money on digital a year or so earlier than I thought I was going to. I'm looking just as forward to the new gear as the rest of you. I was told about a couple of pieces that can't be mentioned yet that I can't wait to hear (other than the Ayre gear I mentioned). It's an exciting time and this thread shows that.