Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

TBG

It said this: (It can also handle the DSD signal (via the DoP protocol). Whatever that is?

Cheers George

DoP stands for 'DSD over PCM', which transmits DSD data via PCM frames. The original DSD data stream is then reconstructed from the data in these PCM frames, and the DSD data is converted into analog.

Thanks Bill as you can tell I'm still a Redbook stalwart, and never delved into DSD as I've never heard it yet, convince me that it's better than a well implemented R2R Ladder Dac playing RedBook.
So it's a bit like when they release earilier/older album that was only ever originally recorded in PCM 44.1
And they bring it out again and say "new high rez" just released of the same thing.
You know it was done only in PCM 44.1 and know it was never re-recorded in hi-rez or dsd, so it's not better just done so it can be resold again to the gullible in dsd format.

Cheers George

So correct me if I'm wrong this DOP protocol on this Thrax dac must switch in a Delta Sigma chip somewhere along the way?

Cheers George

George - While I appreciate the sound quality of DSD, I believe that digital recordings are best represented in whatever format they were originally mastered in. So to my ears music that was originally mastered in DSD sounds best when converted to analog directly, and likewise PCM mastered material sounds best when converted from PCM. A lot depends upon the specific DAC being used though, as some excel in either DSD or PCM and may sound better in their best format even with converted files. Nothing in audio is absolute, there are many differing opinions on this topic. I'm not certain about your last question, but I don't think that DoP support necessarily indicates that a Delta Sigma chip is being used. I'm sure someone here will speak up to correct me if I'm wrong about that.