Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Grateful, I use no preamp at all, and am as happy as a clam *grins!*

Believe it or not, my speakers are not high efficiency horns by any stretch of the imagination.... Die muzik are multi-triver 91dB speakers with a wilding input impedance dipping into the nether regions. I use a Rowland Aeris DAC directly into 430W Rowland M925 monos... No, I am not suffering even a little bit from line stage withdrawl symptoms.

G.

Guido- having previously thought that even the mighty Aeris sounded best with a preamp, I can understand the thought of requiring gain from a preamp. But after hearing Jeff Rowland's voicing system sans preamp I have a different attitude.

I believe that there are certain products that are very specifically constructed and deigned to sound their absolute best with their own mating gear and can skip the added gain from a preamp when doing so. Rowland, Ayon and MSB come to mind. I believe that these products truly sound their best when mated with their purpose designed sister amplifiers. Impedance, gain, etc are all perfectly matched to eliminate the need for a preamp completely. If not mating them with like manufacturer, a preamp permits the user to integrate those wonderful components into a mixed system and maintain their magical performance.

I know you tried to tell me this 2 years ago. But I just wasn't ready to listen. Grins.

The Aurender N10 is in the house and I will start cooking it tomorrow. I'll report quick first impressions including ease of setup and control, and then throw about 200 hours on it before I really listen and compare it to my Mac Mini.

I use the resonessence mirus dac. It allows me to not be hooked up to a computer. I use sdxc sad cards 2-256 gb. I got 100 of my best recordings up sampled to 2xdsd using korg audiogate. The sound is sublime. Deep soundstage excellent transparency. I never really wanted to be hooked to a server or computer. This allows me not to be. The sd cards are another approach to this high resolution music that's not talked about. I only get it done for the Best albums. Anyone reading this you ought to give it a try. No one ever responds to my posts here but if you have an opportunity to listen to this give it try.

Thanks Calvin.

Someone a while ago, maybe you (sorry don't remember who) brought up the Invicta and Mirus dacs. I read up on them and they look awesome. I never had the opportunity to hear one but I was intrigued by their design and parts utilization. I'll bet they sound great.

Thanks for the input!