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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
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
Hi, I talked to Matt today, and we concluded that we like to ask everyone here, since this is a a high view thread, we want to ask all, what is the difference between a warm sound and a rich sound?
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
In my interpretation, a warm sound is a tone that has a midrange preference, and perhaps a touch of pillowiness in the mid and mid lower bass. A rich sound for me has significant exposure of harmonics throughout the range, from low bass to higher treble, without distortions.

Can a sound be warm and rich at the same time? Sure, why not?!

Can sound be neutral and rich? Again, why not?!

G.

G.
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
To me, its all internal. A warm sound makes me feel, well, warm. Cozy, comfortable, back to all the good things that I may have ever known. A rich sounds is, to me, more adventurouse. A tad more involving. Maybe a little more dynamic, but not meaning a warm sound necessarilly lacks dynamics, just brings other aspects of the presentation to the forefront more profoundly.
ctsooner's avatar
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
So often I hear a ringing in the mid bass lower midrange. I always call those speakers bright. I can never warm up to systems that have that ringing.
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
I basically agree with Guido, but I would modify his statement as follows (changes are in brackets):
... a warm sound is a tone that has a [lower] midrange preference, and perhaps a touch of pillowiness in the mid and mid lower bass. A rich sound for me has significant exposure of harmonics throughout the range, [particularly lower order even harmonics], from low bass to higher treble, without distortions.
Of course, usage of these terms among different audiophiles varies widely, and sometimes they are used interchangeably. But strictly speaking, IMO, "warmth" relates to frequency response, and "rich" relates to harmonic balance.

Regards,
-- Al
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