Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Mitch2 - the DX was the demo unit from the distributor, the same one used at Axpona last year. I would assume it was in proper working condition. Always happy to hear it again. I found the N10 superior in every way. I’m not a professional reviewer so no one sends me equipment to review; I need to "acquire" pieces through begging, borrowing or buying. I’m trying to get an S1 Lumin in as well. I had borrowed an A1 and also preferred the Aurender over it.

I can only report what I hear. I have a friend who is also a manufacturer who listens with me. My opinions are mostly my own but typically are agreed with by my friend. When he and I disagree or see different advantages I try to report everything to you guys.

I can say that my system and my room are reference level and demand the absolute highest level of performance from whatever enters that portal. 

How would the PS Audio Directstream Jr compare to these dacs that have been stated In this thread?

PS Audio not in the same class. Sorry.

There is an awsosme thread here about top tier music servers. Similar to this thread about reference DAC's....

http://www.head-fi.org/t/787020/review-comparison-of-5-high-end-digital-music-servers-aurender-n10-c...

Im on page 17. There are 51 pages. 16-18 has some great info. But the general info thus far is that the Antipodes DX is good but the TotalDAC and N10 are better. And the favorite is the CAD music server, which I have considered as well.

There is commentery about ehernet based based systems but everyone goes back to the dedicated server as the ultimate source. But I'm only up to page 17....

Thanks Matt.  I too had the PS Audio DAC in and it wasn't in the same ballpark as the Empirical Audio DAC I had at the time.  The Ayre QX5/20 took my system to a different level than even the EA DAC.  

I would love to get that CAD here to go up against my Mac Mini. Matt have you had the Melco N1Zh in yet? If not, let me see if I can get my hands on one (when the new one comes out) and we can both try it out.  I do want an ethernet connected server though as everyone who manufactures or designs seems to feel it's the best way to move the digits, but that's to do so, is a large expense to do it correctly.  

Just glad this thread is going again.  I think the evolution is pretty amazing.  We started with everyone just throwing out their own DAC's or what their dealers want them to buy or even some manufacturer's trolling the thread, but in the end, there's nearly a consensus that there are only a handful of great DAC's still and that some of the larger names that everyone always talks about being the best values in audio etc, don't quite make this top tier.  Good products in their weight class though and not to be dismissed, but if you want the best, you can read every  page of this thread and make a list of about 5 or 6 DAC's that most feel are best.  I've been fortunate to hear many of them and can see the virtues and faults of each one.  That's probably why we all chose different DAC's for our reference DAC (money also plays a part, but not quite as much).  

Thanks for the server link to the Head-fi thread. I missed that one over there for some reason.  

Has anyone else heard the Direct Stream DAC with the latest firmware updates? I feel this DAC has improved greatly since I purchased it and another firmware update is on the way soon. This unit is going through an evolution.