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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
richfield_hunter
68 posts
 
I have the Music Vault M7 and absolutley love the capability, quaility and most importantly the support I get from Neal. He is one of the nicest guys you will meet in audio. His vast experience in the world of computers bodes well to his continuing to improve the MV. He is working on some power supply improvements which will improve it even more. His prototype results he has achieved so far have provided a huge improvement according to Neal. I am going to receive the improved version once he is ready to update my M7. Bottom the MV is a great product with best in class product and technical support

jriggy's avatar
jriggy
565 posts
 
richfield_hunter, 
Do you know if he is moving the MV servers to linear power supplies or sticking with switching PS? 


richfield_hunter
68 posts
 
I'm not sure exactly which direction he is going. I will be getting and update from him in the next month or so and I will provide a update here or can send email directly to you.

agear
1,362 posts
 
Matt, your homeboy needs to post a system thread with all his new toys (Trenner Isis, Berkley dac, etc, etc)....
audioengr
3,282 posts
 

Matt - I can see how everyone can have different experiences with the Antipodes server. The earlier ones did not have the really good linear power supply. Also, if they are not driving USB out to a low-jitter USB interface, this can make a big difference. That is aside from the systems that they were used in, which probably had lots of ground-loops and substandard active preamps etc... Lots to go wrong there, and usually does at these shows. Many times the room cost is shared and it ends up a mish mosh of different hardware and cables that adds up to crap sound. Very few exhibitors are even capable of achieving a great sound at a show, even on the third day when everything should be broken in.

The point is that if it sounds crappy at a show, it may be due to other system things.  On the other hand if it sounds great at a show, it will probably perform well at home.  Then you have to root out the real weaknesses in your system.

Matt - have you thought about breaking all of the ground-loops in your system?  This is the next major step IMO.  I have zero ground-loops in my system and it is dead quiet and spooky clear.

Steve N.

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