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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
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,331 posts
 
Matt - the Taranis is even more of a bargain that it would be at around $4000 since the price w/free shipping from Merrill Audio is actually $2500.  A review of the Taranis (used w/a tube pre-amp) was posted here on Audiogon some weeks ago.  A link to a recent 3rd party "professional" review of the Taranis is also available in that review thread.    
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 

Teranis is a lovely amp indeed. Yes, I would consider its overall performance as a junior, and perhaps subtly warmer  version of the Merrill Veritas.


In its default configuration of 26dB gain, Teranis will do fine with moderately large speakers that do not present particularly tough load challenges... With my Vienna Die Muzik, and the amp driven by Rowland Aeris, when increasing volume to realistic listening levels, suddenly the sound crosses into an area of lesser linearity, where the presentation becomes slightly boomy/shouty and less relaxed.


However, this is not a fatal flaw. Merril increased my evaluation unit gain to 29dB, which enabled Teranis to handle my speakers with ease.


It is worth noting that some other NCore NC500-based amps -- such as the Acoustic Imagery ATSAH 500 -- sport a dedicated NC1200/700 SMPS per channel instead of the single NC1200/700 shared for the two channels in Teranis. I conjecture that such implementations might be better suited for relatively demanding speakers.


Regards, G.




jwm
918 posts
 
It's funny that I totally have no interest what so ever in any Class D amplifier.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Hi Jwm
Is this because you  find  they all have an identifiable sonic  signature  or theoretical  based on the  fact they're  class D? Just curious.
Charles,
labtec
189 posts
 
It's amusing to read about SS amps that people claim are "tubelike" in a thread about DACs.

Why not just buy a tube amp and stop hoping to find a SS amp that comes close?

Steve Nugent's thoughts got people all excited, but maybe you guys missed the part about him actually USING a TUBE amp...not these other SS amps.  (Plus, he was previously using a John Curl designed SS amp that he further modified to extract performance, yet it STILL wasn't enough and now he uses tubes.)

To each his own, but, personally, I don't see why anyone would spend that kind of money on a class D amp or small company SS amp, when you could get an ARC Reference amp that will drive almost any speaker for the same price.

Odds are good that you will then laugh at all the SS amps futilely trying to duplicate that sound...plus have a ready resale market...lifetime service...and unparalleled pedigree.

Many SS amps sound really nice and even have tech specs that sound better on paper.  I use several myself, but, for ultimate sound quality, most people eventually return to tubes and not vice-versa for a reason.  
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