Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Not Matt and no I haven't heard the Eclipse yet, but I've spoken to a few whom I trust (similar hearing as mine, so take it for what it's worth).  That DAC is a very very serious contender right now.  I auditioned the Rom Sig two weeks ago and really thought it was musical as heck.  I was able to listen for hours to that with Atlas stereo amp, Aesthetix pre (not sure which one off hand) and Vandersteen Quatro CT's with mid level AQ cabling through out.  

I got lost in the music as we listened to everything you can imagine.  The sound dug very deep when there was bass information and the sound stage was as though we were there.  It was fast, clean and emotional.  Things just sounded the way they were supposed to sound.  No grain and very low noise floor.  I was impressed by that as tubes often aren't as quiet as great SS gear.  It wasn't as quiet as the Ayre Twenty gear, but quiet non the less.  

That said, I was told that the Romulus Signature doesn't hold a candle to the new Eclipse gear.  I know that Richfield and Matt both have spent time with the Eclipse.  They also seem to have liked what they heard and it wasn't even close to being broken in.  Between the Eclipse and eventually new Ayre DAC's along with all the other contenders upgrading, digital seems to be getting where we all hoped it was going in the 90's.  JMHO

Hi Labrynth. I haven't installed the outlets yet. Just no time. The plasmatron is in the system but I have not had time to listen yet. Burn in is supposed to be about 100 hours. I'm not close. 

The Eclipse hasn't made it to my place yet. Again, my schedule between work and the holidays has been insane. I don't know if the Eclipse Romulus I would be trying has the VC. CTSooner might know. I'll let you know when I know. 

OK,  thank you Matt.

Steve N,

I am so happy to see someone as respected and knowledgeable as yourself mention Wells Audio here. I purchased the Inamorata Signature this time last year and can not be happier with it! I am actually surprised Wells Audio does not get mentioned more often. 

Also, very interesting to see you have a Plasmatron. I have been interested off and on over the last three years...but there continues to be very little spoken about them since I was first made aware of it during its beta testing. I wish owners would come out and speak more about them --like what changes they hear to their systems. 

and great adventure thread, Matt!

Thanks!

I've heard the Wells Audio Inamorata in 3 different systems. A fabulous amp which sounds as liquid and natural as solid state can, but with all of the detail and transparency that can escape tubes. This from a dyed in the wool tube man. If I were to purchase a ss amp, if I could not pull off a D'Agostino, I would get a Wells.