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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
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
Mattnshilp.
I only want the best for RedBook replay, as your title states you want also. I have no interest in "Hirez" from what I've heard from it. Because the chips that do do it, don't do RedBook for me as good as Ladder Multibit chips can do.

There seems to be a strong growing trend of the big boys with their top line dacs and cdp going back to using R2R Multibit if not in chip form by doing their own discrete version. This must say something as well.

Cheers George
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
I'm not disagreeing that there are R2R dacs that make great music. I'm just saying that there are dacs that are not R2R that also make red book sound great. I don't believe in absolute statements.

I also agree with many here who have said that the recording typically sounds best in its natively recorded format. And that hi-Rez or DSD or red book matter less then reproducing them in their native format and letting them sound their best. I've heard incredible DSD, hi Rez PMC and red book all sound musical and engaging....
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
Hi Rez PCM. Damn autocorrect !!
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Hi Matt, according to my materials, there is no indication of use of an Analog Devices AD 1955 DAC chip in the Rowland Aeris. Some dated secondary internet sources mention an Analog Devices AD1853 instead.

Regardless, I continue to listen and enjoy with my ears... No Princess And The Single Bit Pea living here *grins!*

G.
melbguy1
1,438 posts
 
10-23-15: Georgelofi

Ricevs right, the AD1955 is bit of a hybrid a 5bit Multibit and Delta Sigma, no R2R ladder. And far cheaper to manufacture than say a real R2R Ladder like the PCM1704K.

Sounds like an each way bet on the cheap, trying to get what Multibit can do yet still do DSD.

Cheers George
George, my view is it is not fair to judge a dac chip by itself without considering the overall quality of the dac & skill of the Designer (ie: implementation). I own a Vitus SCD-025Mk2 which is a $20kEUR dac/cdp which I can say hand on heart is the best single box cd player i've heard (including a CH D1 with the dac option & Accuphase DP-700).

As a dac, the Vitus bested my previous Vimak DS-1800Mk2 which I regard as the best Delta Sigma dac ever made. I also previously owned a highly modded Ayon CD-5s which uses a quad of BB PCM-1704k chips. I enjoyed my time with the Ayon which did some things very well & was a fun player, though the Vitus is in another league altogether.
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