Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Psickerson, 
There’s no better comparison between products than having both in your system side by side. I do recognize that all rendered opinions are subjective and only reflect individual taste. No question some will choose the Yggy rather than the Ayre. The converse is also true. You are fortunate to have a direct comparison.
Charles,

I agree with Charles. I have heard those two side by side at a store when a customer was in with the Schitt to hear the differences. I listened via the Audeze LCD-3's, which I enjoy and know well.  I found the Codex to be more accurate, better staging and imaging.  I feel that listening with can's give you a great idea of detail, both micro and macro, but not as good at sound staging.  I'm very very surprised the Codex got so hot.  I'm in shock actually.  Did you ask the dealer about this?  I've used the Codex well in excess of 20 times at many dealers as well as in friends systems. I have many who own one and not one have said they run THAT hot.  Not taking anything away from the Schitt as I know there are many who love the company.  I always enjoyed their designers products when they were with their other companies years ago, so again not taking anything away from them.  To my ears the Codex is the best under 5k or so DAC I've listened to and I"ve heard many of them out here.  Again, JMHO and that's why there are so many companies who are making equipment.  We all listen for different things and all equipment reacts differently with other gear.  How many times have we listened to something and loved it, but got it in our systems and it just didn't work?  

This is why Matt always talks about what's in HIS system when he reviews for everyone. There have been so many DAC's sold because of this thread and they aren't all Empirical as Matt has loved (I bought one and loved it).  

Lampi Atlantic is killer value for money. Will beat many more expensive Dacs  out there. Just saying.

Have Metrum's Adagio DAC/preamp burning-in over here.  I have been pretty happy with their Pavane but the thought of an all-in-one DAC/preamp with volume control was interesting to me.  The volume is implemented similar to (the same as?) the ODSE in that it adjusts the reference voltage while the signal comes straight from the dacs.  

In addition to the ability to function as a preamp, the number of dacs is doubled over the Pavane as is the overall voltage.  There are dual outputs so I am able to also drive my sub from the DAC/preamp and the outputs are adjustable to either 0 or -10 dB.  At 0dB the output is 6/3 Volts RMS for XLR and rca outputs, respectively.  Very early impressions are of excellent drive, clarity and naturalness (as with all Metrum DACs).  I will be interested to hear, after this has burned in for awhile, whether my zero-gain, buffered, SMc preamp with the tantalum resistors will sound a bit more "fleshed-out and romantic" even if the resulting sound may be slightly less precise.  If that is the case, the question will be whether there is an advantage (over the Pavane) to keeping the Adagio and running the signal through the preamp.   They say there is no detriment to that set-up, sort of like the choice to run the ODSE through a preamp or not, as several reviewers have done.   The trick with these high resolution pieces is to provide the resolution and drive while maintaining the musicality.

It would be great to have a few contenders in one place to try as I did with my recent amplifier shoot-out.  It seems that is the best way to really get to the heart of the differences.  In particular, if I had my wish I would have Aqua's Formula (probably more than I would want to spend) and their LaScala (already tried it and preferred the Pavane but it was close), as well as a solid representative from Lampizator.  My only trial with Lampizator was a couple of years ago with the L4G4, which I thought had an overblown soundstage and somewhat overly loose/ripe bass.  That and the somewhat DIY appearance of their units at that time were turn-offs for me.  They have come a long way with their newer units.

mitch2 - Regarding your interest in the Aqua Formula and LaScala DACs, they just announced a new 'LaScala II Optologic' which is the latest version at $6,600 US. It now uses the R2R Optologic DAC technology developed for their Formula DAC.