Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Matt, I am so proud to be a member of the rarified community of your certifiable crazy friends... Whether our symptomatology conforms to the canonic chronic model, or ours is a boundary acute degenerative case, I venture to say that we do all reach well into the stratosphere of audiophrenic morbidity.

* As you know, my bet was on the Dynaudios... I am confident that they will soar to even further heights during the next few months.

* I do admit that the win of EMM over Empirical is a stunning upset, particularly given the magnitude that you experienced. I am now intrigued to no end by what EMM has achieved. Will you be testing the upcoming Empirical superDAC as well?

* The following new thread contains a data point suggesting that the Bryston BDP2 might be a strong contender versus Aurander, in spite of BDP2's significantly lower price point:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ddgtl&1443219284&openusid&zzGuidocorona&4&&

Saluti, G.

Matt,
That was a Whomper of an update and I enjoyed reading it!

Glad you finally found the perfect speaker for you. Exciting news about the Emm dac. I have to admit I'm disappointed the Antipodes didn't come out better.

I'm going to stay tuned to read about about your Aurrender and the Romulus reviews.

Thanks!

Matt,
Your written descriptions of what you hear is very well done, when you describe the Isis analogy of the comfortable cabin on the mountain top, that sold me as the speaker which stirred the emotions more deeply with more appeal to the soul(well my interpretation anyway 😃). I admit my bias is toward the organic/holistic end of the spectrum. You make it clear both are quite exceptional in your home system. Again this adventure has been fun and informative.
Best Regards,
Charles,

Thank you for the update Matt. I have been following quietly and enjoy the thread and well written humor.

Having owned the Romulus and finding the $2200 Yamamoto dac to be better, I think your session will not last very long.

Another way to say it is the Yamamoto dac with several mods is indeed a contender. No DSD however. No USB so an Offramp is needed with it.