Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

4425 - you can’t jump in on this thread and make a statement like that. As I just said, this thread is not about reviewing DAC’s. It’s about PICKING the best DAC. I have not evaluated a DAC I disliked. In fact, every DAC I have owned or auditioned is worth keeping and building a system around. I’m looking for the best darn DAC (started out as red book since that was and still is the bulk of my file type) I can find, at any price. I have excluded tubes DAC’s because of my personality and the tube swapping rabbit hole that would cause me never ending obsessive tube rolling, countless dollars and sleepless nights. I’m not saying that the best DAC in the world is solid state, but it is for me. I have heard the Golden Gate and it’s truly awesome, but simply not for me; like horn speakers (which I also love but just don’t have the space for), spicy Indian food and smoking Hookah; not for me......

There are certain DAC’s that have fan clubs..... Bricasti amongst them. Ayre, Lampizator, DAVE and DCS all have their dedicated groups of devotees also, who will defend their brand to the end. Good’on’ya!!! They all can make music and do it right. My goal was to find the one that made my system, in my room, with my ears sound the best. So anything I say about a DAC is in comparison to another and which I prefer. If it made it into my room, it’s a damn good DAC! I love Ferrari and Lamborghini, but I prefer Ferrari. That doesn’t mean i don’t like the Lambo.....

That all said, I found my notes and the highlights about the Bricasti were that the ODSE (my giant killer) offered a more complex, layered presentation of the music. In comparison, the Bricasti lacked a sense of "live" that the ODSE gave in spades. I also felt like the Bricasti had a flatter depth of stage in comparison, but that it’s spacial definition allowed individual events to happen seamlessly within their space. The ODSE did that equally well, and in the end it stayed and the Bricasti went back for someone else to enjoy.

A comment about dealers in general and one in particular (Dave, The Audio Doctor)......

Buying used is great. It saves money and allows us to bring a piece in knowing that we can turn it over without losing our shirts in the process if/when we decide to upgrade or go in a different direction. We all want to get as much as we can for our money, but what we need sometimes is more then just product.

There are times, many times, where an audition is mandatory and potentially even a home audition. And an educated, experienced ear can help your system grow beyond what you thought it’s boundaries were....

Dave, The Audio Doctor, had visited a wealthy client on Friday/Saturday and had brought the larger part of his Digital front end and all necessary cables, conditioners, tweaks, etc with him. I suggested he stop at my house on a Sunday before he put everything back together so we could play and he welcomingly obliged (and got to sell a Davinci Light Harmonic 2 to me as a reward! Although the reward was truly mine!!!).

I told Dave to leave all his other "stuff" in the car and just bring in the DAC and music server. I told him how I, as a seasoned audiophile, audition gear in my room..... He waited about 7 seconds (clearly processing the situation) and suggested, strongly, that I let him run the demo since he knew how to squeeze the last vestige of performance out of his equipment. He wanted to use HIS power conditioner (Audio Magic) and HIS power cables (Enklein David), not mine. I thought about it and said it was ok as long as he had extra power cords to run to my DAC and server simultaneously so we could keep all variables consistent during the comparison except the actual DAC or music server. I have 2 pair of identical XLR 1m interconnects and digital cables so we kept everything identical except for the actual DAC which was a/b’d through my preamp. His intention was also to bring his tweaks in but we ran out of time.

He was clearly skeptical of the ODSX but open minded. As we listened he commented positively on the ODSX many times, and allowed me to make any judgments on the LH DAC he brought. My ODSX never sounded so good, and the LH (with the Baetis serve) left me feeling the need to smoke a cigarette after we were done listening!!!!

At the end he admitred that he was blown away by how good the ODSX sounded. But we both agreed the Davinci LH was otherworldly!!!

We had a great time and a productive time. He brought over almost a hundred grand worth of gear in his car to my house and shlepped most of it downstairs into my basement listening room. He could have walked away without a sale that day easily, and without regret or malice. But his fund of knowledge, experience, exceptionally selected gear, passion and demand to audition his gear with the cables and accessories he knew (and brought with him) would allow the equipment to shine its shiniest reminded me that buying gear sometimes means you pay for more then just the gear, and it’s SO worth the expense!

I am obligated to list John of Audio Connection in this category as well considering his generous offer (which I never took him up on) to bring over and set up the very big and VERY heavy Vandy 7’s when I was speaker shopping. I decided it wasn’t for me at his shop, so I declined his generous offer. I have personally never bought anything from John, but he’s clearly a good guy. I HAVE bought from Dave before and he’s a great guy and someone to consider when you need to rely on an experienced salesperson who has amassed a great selection of gear to offer his clients. And he takes trades, which many do not. 

I happened to HAVE an Audio Magic Oracle I had gotten on a trade a while ago and never swapped in since I always loved my Shunyata PC. When I told Dave I had the Oracle, he wasn’t at all upset that I didn’t buy it from him, he was upset I wasn’t using it!!! After he left, I pulled the Shunyata and have been running the Oracle since. I want to let it burn for a few weeks before I pass final judgement. I’ll keep you updated.

And finally i need to comment on the insanely expensive $9k/meter Enklein David power cords.... I want them. I want them for my amps and my preamp and my DAC and my music server. And another one to wear around like a tie!!! I just wish they weren’t SO damn expensive!!!!! They remove everything and leave only what is supposed to be there. They get out of the way like nothing I have ever heard, or haven’t heard!!!

I want to try them out since he has plenty and slowly integrate them. But they blew away my Shunyata Alpha Digital PC. When the time comes I’m going to call the Cable Co and see if I can get a Shunyata Sigma Digital ( and High Current) PC in to compare..... still so much to do!!!!!

Thank you Dave, from one type of Doctor to another!!!!

Anyone at AXPONA??? How abought some summaries?

I couldnt go. :(

Was told that it was a very good show this year.  No really specifics though. I have a call into a dealer who was there and will share what he would like to share.  

Was told that it was a very good show this year.  No really specifics though. I have a call into a dealer who was there and will share what he would like to share.