Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Wow, for some one not here to fight you type with a lot of attitude.

Let me rephrase my meaning in a kinder, gentler Erik in the hopes that any attitude present on my own writing is taken away.

I only meant that if you need to upgrade a source component a lot to make it sound good it makes me question the value of the source to begin with. So, not being an expert or caring to spend a lot of money or time on Mac Mini's, your perspective made me even less willing to try a Mac Mini as a source.

That's all. Not worth fighting about.  I think Mac Mini's are adorable, but between your comments and my previous two listening experience, I'm unlikely to rush out and get one for music listening.

Enjoy your path as much as you can!


Erik

Erik you read something into my comments that I never said. I was planning to get this Ayre with a Melco when I purchased thEmpirical as I've know. All about it for a bit. What Steve did to my mini server has it sounding outstanding. I'd have kept them both and been very happy. If sharing that I never said what you said I did is attitude so be it I guess. L was laughing the whole time typing Erik. Upgrading doesn't mean that you need better sound it can also mean you love what you have but can afford what you ultimately want. How many in this thread love to upgrade when they can afford it?  

I just shared that you were totally incorrect trying to reason why I'm making moves. I know a few others reading this thread who are laughing too. Not taking it as seriously as you may believe. 

Greetings to everyone on the thread.

It has been sometime since I posted on this thread but have been keeping up for the most part.  

I received the ODSX Friday and per Steve Nugent will break in on my secondary system for another week 24/7.  It has been since January of 2015 since I owned the ODSE.  Since then, I have had the pleasure to audition and hear some new and some prototype dacs.  That said, I am certainly glad I have this new unit.  Unfortunately I will be unable to do direct a to b with the ODSE.

Although a more formal impression will be forthcoming, without question I would avoid the USB input and opt for the internal Ethernet direct to I2S converter, especially the M2Tech USB.  Personally, I have never been a fan of the XMOS due to stability issues over many dac manufactures.  M2Tech was more stable in this regard.

This Ethernet input is absolutely stable (unlike USB), produces a superior sound observed in dacs other than the ODSX, negates the need to use a server, negates the need of a driver, and I am able to stream direct Tidal, Linn, Qbuz up to 24/192 using Linn Kazoo and Bubble UPnP.  This is very easy to set up and use.  I will report back regarding ROON.  This I am researching.  From the ROON website, they are willing to take in sample units from manufacturers and task their RAAT proprietary software to specific hardware.  Steve however is a one man show and if this cost anything to the cottage industry producer, ROON will not be an option.  However, I will send my unit in to them if they are willing.

The Ethernet has galvanic isolation.  I will test to see if Giso (galvanic isolator) or Waversa Smarthub (LiPo Powered, ethernet re-clocker/filter audiophile switch) have any sonic improvement and report back.  

I know Matt and others have sent their units in for updates.  Ditch USB and you will be glad.

Like the ODSE the ODSX runs hot.  I sent my thermal measurements to Steve and he believes this is not an issue.  The region over the Ethernet to I2S converter is the hottest but stable regardless of output gain setting.  The rest of the unit will get proportionally hotter from low to high volume and low and high gain settings.  If you have a high gain system like I do, then set it to low gain.  Having it on high gain is not an issue per Steve, but it will run as hot or hotter than 300b tubes.  

To everyone here, enjoy your holiday weekend and play safe.

Thanks so much for the post and the help.  I sold my OSDE knowing the QX-5/Twenty is out as well as Steve's new DAC.  I may be able to afford his new DAC if something comes through this next week or so, and that's now on the table.  I'll be getting the Melco to use as a NAS for the Ayre or if I get the OSDX it will also become the server.  If I don't do the Melco, I'll be getting the new QNAP 471 NAS as it's powerful enough to install an SSD in one slot and run Roon which I want.  Either of these set ups allow me to run an all Ethernet connection, but I realized that my house was never wired for Ethernet.  

Ketch, I guess I have two questions:
1. can I guy the Apple Time Machine as my router connected to the Comcast modem and then use the Apple Extreme I think they call it, to use Ethernet connections for all of this?

2. You mention the type of Ethernet connection.  You said:  The Ethernet has galvanic isolation. I will test to see if Giso (galvanic isolator) or Waversa Smarthub (LiPo Powered, ethernet re-clocker/filter audiophile switch) have any sonic improvement and report back.

Are these built into Steve's unit or are these something my Ethernet cords will be connected to and then that connects to the DAC?  

Thanks.  Learning so much about digital lately that it's scary, lol. 

Still the best thread on the net for digital audio!!

Price vs sonic capability : Berkley or Jeff Rowland! IMO! Own PSAudio! The two channel true PCM tube DAC snobs will slam PS Audio! Exotic sound had exotic price! How upper tier u want to go!