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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
 
06-09-15: Mcondon
Are you in New Jersey? If so, I would give Brett Messler at Audio 202 in Far Hills a call. Some of the speakers on your audition list were also on mine. Brett carries some interesting brands you won't hear elsewhere. I auditioned Behold Tanara speakers and thought they were a lot better than Vivid, Marten, Wilson, Raidho, and Acoustic Zen. Behold speakers also would work well in a room your size. I have no affiliation, I am just a former satisfied customer and thought he might be in your locale. If you are not in New Jersey, sorry.

The Behold stuff looks interesting as well...although its 55K....:\
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 


Spot on Vyokyong, you said what I didn't have the patience to do.
One more thing though there was one more HDCD chip bought out briefly after the famed PMD-100 HDCD, the PMD-200.
It was used in my Redbook CD player The Cary 303/200 which also had what I believe to be the last and best R2R Multibit dac ever made in it, the almost extinct PCM1704K dac.
Out of the box this is a nice sounding player, but with some serious work http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digital-source/227677-using-ad844-i-v-52.html#post4404793 to the I/V and output buffer it is very hard to beat.

Cheers George
rhljazz
1,255 posts
 
My VAC 22.1 tubed dac uses the PMD 100 chip also. This approximately 19 year old product sounds more natural then my Oppo 105d which I use mainly as a transport for the VAC.
Not all old digital is surpassed by the latest gear. However, I will say that my Chord Hugo is superior.
jh901
67 posts
 
R-2R list in production 2015:

Aqua HiFi La Scala
PCM1704-K (4) Dual mono

CH Precision C1
PCM1704 (8) Dual mono

Computer Audio Design CAD 1543
DAC Philips TDA1543/N2 (16)

Metrum Acoustics Pavane
Propietary "Transient" chips

MSB DAC V
Discrete (proprietary)

Schiit Yggdrasil
AD5791 BRUZ (4)

totaldac d1-twelve
6 discrete ladders per channel (600 vishay foil resistors)

Trinity Electronic Design Trinity DAC
PCM1704

Many differences with these (and any DAC) beyond D/A conversion of course. Maybe I'll add details if warranted. Any others for this list? Figure this may be interesting once Matt get backs to DACs.
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
Thanks JH. That's a very useful list to have.

With my return from vacation I am packing up all of my currently loaned speakers and resting them for return to their generous lenders. I am also packing up my Der Muziks and hoping for a buyer.

I have not yet he time to plan auditions but I will keep you posted. I will say that the Coltrane Tenor is still my front runner. But I have some very good speakers to still hear.
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