Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Hi all,

sorry for the paucity of posts.

Nothing much new in the listening room. Trying to sell some stuff, or trade it. I did acquire an Audio Magic Oracle (fully loaded) power conditioner for a price too good to pass on. I was going to upgrade my Shunyata Hydra AV to their new Triton V2 but the Oracle was too tempting. I'll compare it to my AV and see how it does. If better then I'll still get the V2 and compare the two. If not as good then I'll move the Oracle to my office system or sell it and move the Hydra AV to my office system. The Oracle only needs a week to burn in since it has well over a 1000 hours on it already. Thank God!!

Im trying to get my hands on a Lumin U1 still. I may just buy one and compare it to the Aurender N10 to make the final decision..... I'm also trying to arrange a trade with a local Lumin dealer.

I am also considering a new turntable now that my Zanden 1200 mk3 is here and set up. Wow it's stunning!! I'm considering either a Merrill Williams REAL table or a Townshend Rock7 since they both have incredible reputations for table/arm combos for under $10k.

I also want to get new PC's for my amps. Wanna try the new Shunyata Sigma HC since I love those Zitron Alpha Pc's so much. But I have heard great things about Enklein and am looking into it. disposable funds are limited now with an imminent purchase of a new office for the practice. Oy my wallet!!! But the new office will give me the space in my personal office to set up a great medium sized system. Which is awesome since I listen to my office system (currently Musical Fidelity and Kef) 6-8 hours a day....

i will admit that I have been a bit distracted by a new obsession with custom and semi-custom pocket knives and custom tops (yes, toy tops. But custom milled works of art that can spin for 15-20 minutes. Very very cool!).

I'll keep you posted as always. I can't wait for my Emm DAC to arrive!!! In the meantime I'm still
loving my ODSE! It's just amazing!

To clarify Steve's post.  I believe his proprietary chip for the ODSX is not DSD compatible.  So the Ethernet to I2S external unit would work for any DSD capable dac.  However, the built in Ethernet input may handle DSD but the dac itself will not process it.

As a previous owner of the ODSE, I believe how the ODSE processes a recording in PCM sounds better than all dacs that I directly compared simultaneously playing a DSD version of the same recording.

My version of the ODSX will have Ethernet direct input as this has been better sounding than USB from other dacs that have both Ethernet and USB inputs.  

Obviously this is subjective observation, but a perspective not mentioned here to date.

Wow, it's amazing how the tech is changing from the beginning of this thread to now.  Steve, how does this new cable differ from the one I have from you with the USB block (forget the name, but it's that small block that cuts the 5v signal)?  What are the price differences and sound difference in your opinion?  

Matt, we should talk knives soon. I collect hand made Japanese cooking knives.  I also collect special marking knives for my woodworking.  I have a friend who turns tops and they are awesome. He won't sell them though, lol.  I tried turning one, but didn't like it, so I kept with bowls and making furniture, lol.  

Matt, you need to call Johnny to see if he has the new AQ Niagara Power station (or whatever it's called).  I spoke with a friend who had one in his system. He's had the top Hydra as well as the top SR Powercell (two of his favorites so far).  He said that it's still early, but he plugs EVERYTHING into this Niagara and it's unreal. Says it has lowered what was already a very low noise floor.  He hears better dynamics because of this lowered noise.  No limiting at all and he listens to very dynamic orchestral as well as everything else under the sun.  He said it was the best 7k he's spent on his system for upgrades.  He also likes Burmeister, but has switched to the new Ayre twenty series.  He has the Vandy 7's and has owned nearly everything else out there.  He loves the older Avalon's if that gives you an idea of what he likes.  I'm assuming he's still using the top tier AQ cables.  

Matt, check out the Basis TT with the Vector 4 tonearm.  The arm alone is worth the price of admission. I have the Basis with the rebuilt Rega 300 series arm and feel it's as good as any TT I've heard under 5k or so. I run a Benz cart (my set up was only 1500 and that included the cart as it was NOS).  That arm though is one of the best I've ever heard at any price.  They have one above that, but it's going to be way too costly for your budget and honestly, the vector 4 is so good you won't miss the upper line arm.  I strongly believe it's sound is in the range of what you enjoy listening to.  Sorry to go on, but to me that arm is a bargain in the same vein that Steve's OSDE/SE is/was.

Hi All.

Need some scratch to upgrade my amps power cords. Selling the recently acquired Plasmatron 3 with top tier plasma tubes and double duplex top tier outlets. New condition. Burned in 100 hours. Adds an incredible sense of air and presence as well as opening up the soundstage.

Selling only because I feel I jumped the gun on getting an end stage upgrade when my amps and preamp power cord need upgrading first. Will replace with another Plasmatron when all else upgraded. I paid full retail ($4k) for it. Never discounted. I'll take a small hit to move it so someon will get a great deal....

PM me if interested.

Steve from Empirical can vouch for what a difference these things make!