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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
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
Teaser:
Hopefully I will have some time this morning to listen and compare the "on loan" Emm DAC-2X and the "just arrived and on loan" MSB DAC V. MSB is also lending me the purpose made power line conditioner for the DAC but they were using it at RMAF so it's en route now. But a fair comparison would be using my same Shunyata Hydra AV conditioner on both dacs. So I'll start there.

Stay tuned.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Matt, given the caliber of line-level gear that you are working with, it might be worth while climbing up the Shunyata conditioners totem pole up to a Triton II. G.
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
Agreed Guido. But I need to steady my flow of stereo expenses. So accessory upgrades will happen gradually over the next year or so. But you are 100% correct my friend.
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
Fascinating - my first impression upon listening to the MSB (in the first 30 min) is a burning desire to adjust the placement of my speakers to squeeze the last bit of performance out of them. At $42k for the Diamond V with Diamond power supply, Quad sub, volume control (for resale purposes only) and the "standard" internal clock it is quite astounding, as one would expect. It has an immediate sense of just not being there; the music just flows through with a natural sense of it just being right.

Going to listen for another hour and then swap to the DAC2X and see.....

I also have a friend coming over to help with the comparison so it's not just my ears.
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
That was supposed to be: Quad USB
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