Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

The absolute best buy is the  $2300 Schiit audio s new dac .I cannot spell it but Yagsdradall is close ,go to Computer Audiophile review no $15000 dac is better. If you only gave half that 
The  $1,200 Multibit Gungnir is 90% as good  
Which I own. If I can afford theit flagship later in the year 
I will buy it. Both are class leaders and exceptional huys.

Audioman, you should find a dealer for the new Ayre Codex at 1500 or so and bring in your DAC to listen side by side.  I have heard the Yagsdradall (which is a nice DAC for the price IMHO) vs the Codex and to me the Codex seems to be in a different league.  The Schiit guys do a wonderful job and offer great value as you stated, but the new Codex is to me a game changer.  No pre or post ringing, dynamic and just a great buy.  I heard them both in a very revealing system that costs around 80k or so.  I listened to a few other under 5k DAC's that day in that system (the Schiit unit happened to be there as it belonged to a customer who wanted to hear it vs the Codex.  The Schiit unit was on my very short list until I was able to buy the Empirical OSDE/SE which is a killer DAC in it's own right and maybe the best 'value' DAC made right now (again IMHO).  

Steve, Will your streamer device work with a NAS as well as streaming online content via the iPad?  It sounds very interesting.

And the the person talking about the Empirical Audio Synchro Mesh, I LOVE that device. I had to get one for my TV, Cable, Blue Ray and other digital and I'm so glad I did.  Another great value in digital audio.

The Chord Hugo TT is incredibly musical, detailed, and spacious and non-fatiguing. It’s close to turntable sound. It is not peaky. Rob Watts is on to something that is very special in the world of DACs. It’s wonderful. (Somehow it is much better than the original Hugo on which it is based.)