Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Limniscate - Romaz, over on Head-Fi, has a thread titled Comparison of 5 High End Music Servers. I read all 56 pages of the thread (now I know how someone who has to catch up on this thread feels!). To summarize (your welcome), he compared  the Aurender N10, CAD CAT server, TotalDac d1-Server, Auralic Aries and Audiophile Vortex Box. He did not include the Gen 2 Antipodes DX or the Baetis (not to mention the Bryston or a bunch of others). His final opinion was that the CAD CAT was the clear winner when considering sound quality and ease of software use. N10 sounded almost as good but was easiest to use. D1-Server sounded almost as good also but software was much less user friendly. He then got involved with the MicroRendu and finally the SMS-200 and now the Ultra. He has heavily supported this gear with Paul Hynes Linear Power Supplies and such, and says the sound is superior to all of the music servers. It's basically a high end, multi-reclocked, super linear power supplies multi piece music server. 

I have an N10 in my room now and have an Antipodes Gen 2 DX coming in 2 weeks to audition. Dave of Audio doctor is brining his Baetis tomorrow morning. So within a few weeks I will be able to give my impressions of those 3. I am also trying to get a CAD CAT and CAD DAC in to audition. It's a lot of work. But worth it. 

I have been interested in the CAD stuff since I read the first review of the CAD 1543.  I like his approach to design that emphasizes galvanic isolation, power supplies, and NOS, and I suspect their gear is very musical.  I look forward to hearing about your impressions.

Stopped short on the CAD myself mostly because of the single-ended only outputs, cost, and inability to easily audition one.  Instead found Metrum and am currently satisfied with the musicality/performance from my Level 3 Pavane and DX server. 

Matt, we really need to work out a time for me to come over for a weekend or something with my Steve Nugent built Mac Mini/Hynes supply.  I am wondering if it's starting to lose it's superiority now that newer servers are coming out.  Also you need to try and get the Music Vault in there if you can.  

I might chime in, I use the Rednet 3 with a (modded) internal linear power supply. Mac Mini with Uptone Audio 12V DC board mod, and send data via 1000 BaseT Ethernet to the Rednet. Then AES or SPDIF to my DAC. Beats th epants of any USB chain I have used before inc the Offramp 5 and M2Tech EVO full stack inc Linear supplies, and Berkley Alpha USB convertor. Rednet cost me 1K USD inc the linear supply.
So one box between the PC and DAC.

Very smooth and massive soundstage, huge detail and layering. It makes my previous chains sound flat and clinical TBH. I would say try it if you can't afford a full on pre-built server solution, and don't need above 192K limit of AES/SPDIF. I don't upsample anyway, so does not matter in my case.

Matt, just curious what did you not like about the Bricasti?