Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Charles, I always open to hearing them for entertainment value. My central point, based on experience, is that it takes considerable effort to extract "analog" sound from the digital domain, with proper mechanical grounding (Sistrum), power conditioning, electrical grounding, etc. If Goldmund can squeeze in a Golden Gate dac, Tripoint Troy, power conditioning, and one of Steve Nuggets reclockers into its speaker, I will consider it. I was an early adopter to the wireless realm (2002), and while I love elements of it, it has a lot of weaknesses. In the context of lifestyle audio engineering, by all means. If SOTA sound is what you are after, not.

Steve Nugent, you have gone quiet? I would love to hear your take on this subject.

Andrew.
Ok, I thought perhaps Wisnon's unbridled enthusiastic report may have been persuasive for you.
Charles,

Gear, Goldmund IS a pioneer of Electrical (acoustical) and mechanical grounding. Did you not see the thick cenbtral rod in the PL frame?

The software to do all this stuff started development in 2007 and took 6 years to be ready for Prime Time, so why compare 2002 stuff?

Power conditioning is external and would be retrofitted to any such gear, but if my experience with the Joob circuit applies here, Goldmund sounds WORSE with Power conditioning, based on hos the circuit interacts with the power line...Sort of uses the power grid as a huge capacitor...hence the extreme dynamics.
The little ProLogos box is capable of 120db max spl, 120!!!

I dont know much about the Alize Dac tech, but I understand that the Alize 7 is darn good. What I do know is that Goldmund has lots of $$$ to fund research and make collaborations with Universities and defense contractors, so its not inconceivable that that are dense packed with tech.

I have not heard the PL, so cant go out on a limb, but am gratified that Matt will be able to hear it and the Kii in the context of high end separate systems abd can give an overview and his overall impression. That should be fun and enlightening.

BTW, the Metis and PL Tower are more lifestyle. The Prologos and the + are more audiophile aimed and the Anatta is the reference product.

PL Mk1 was $50K with Grounding frame and the Mk2 is $70K.Apart from software optimization, not sure what else is different.

If I get to hear em, I will report back here.

Hi all. I'm going to call Bob today to see what he has on display so I can listen. I guess that with the DSP and all gear internal, they should sound relatively similar room to room; so they should sound essentially their best no matter where they are.

I spoke with Bill at GTT and the Kii 3 will be arriving just before RMAF. I may be able to get a listen in before they get shipped out. Kii doesn't really use DSP to correct for the room, it just uses creative speaker and digital wizardry to remove the back wall from the equation, which I have proven first hand can make a huge difference. I'll report as I hear things.

The Nola Metro Gold left yesterday and my Dynaudio Ultimates should be arriving tomorrow, although I need to get them into the basement which will require men more manly then myself..... I'll keep you posted on that as well.

Sorry Norman. Goldmund has done some shows with their new hustle and people have not staggered out of the room as if they had been in the presence of God. Guys in Asia who can own anything don't go for Goldmund. Its a lifestyle product for lazy, rich guys who are not climbing the mountain and would rather be spoon fed. That's fine. Different strokes for different folks. As Matt has hopefully realized, the room is 70-80% of the equation despite what the Kii cooperative says....:). Hand wringing about the latest techno-exotica is simply brownian motion as we will soon find out.

From an evolutionary standpoint, the Devaliet Orbs are interesting and actually a novel design...but again, a Sonos on steroids. They would make for a fun 5C HT system!

Matt, I look forward to your impressions of the Ultimates and eventually the Isis.