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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
ketcham
92 posts
 
Matt,

Did you ever compare PS Audio Direct Stream Dac to these other nice and very expensive dacs? I am curious how dacs that do not cost the earth to have compare. My experience dictates that there are a ton of really good dacs that run head to head and may even be better depending on the listener's system and taste.
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
Yes. PS Audio direct stream came and went a long time ago. I have not tried it since then and it has gone through many many upgrades in software. 

My ODSE is about the same price and in a different class altogether. For the money (well under $10k) the ODSE is an absolute juggernaut! Nothing can touch it's capabilities for anything close. 
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
This thread started off with many many under $10k dacs. I initially was looking in the $4k-$12k range. I spent a lot of time wih a lot of dacs. It's quite a few pages, but a good read. 
thexman
1 posts
 
You'll find no better DAC than Chord. I just bought my second one, after selling the one I had for 12+ years. Before I got the new one, listened to many others at way higher prices, and, I came back to Chord.

Cheers,
Jonathan
ksalno
3 posts
 
mattnshilp

I heard an extended demo of the dCS Rossini w/ ext clock at my local dealer. They also have a Vivaldi stack. While it's hard to do a direct comparison as they were setup in different systems with different downstream components and speakers, I have to say that the Rossini gets you very close to the Vivaldi. You can definitely hear the small differences but for the money the Rossini is hard to beat. It also has a better UI and software which will be coming to the Vivaldi but later this year. 

If I wasn't already a Vivaldi owner, I would be sorely tempted to go with the Rossini.
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