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Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Hi All.

Putting together a reference level system.
My Source is predominantly standard 16/44 played from a MacMini using iTunes and Amarra. Some of my music is purchased from iTunes and the rest is ripped from standard CD's.
For my tastes in music, my high def catalogues are still limited; so Redbook 16/44 will be my primary source for quite some time.

I'm not spending DCS or MSB money. But $15-20k retail is not out of the question.

Upsampling vs non-upsampling?
USB input vs SPDIF?

All opinions welcome.

And I know I need to hear them, but getting these ultra $$$ DAC's into your house for an audition ain't easy.

Looking for musical, emotional, engaging, accurate , with great dimension. Not looking for analytical and sterile.
mattnshilp
sunandmusic
27 posts
 
I would love to hear the Areas Cerat Kassandre DAC as the design of it appeals to me. Sadly no dealers near me in the UK. Anyone here heard it?

mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
Sunandmusic - haven’t heard it sorry.

The group of people that regularly post on this thread seam to have a lot of experience hearing many different DAC’s. If any of us make a comment, it’s pretty reliable (here) that the statement is being made with auditory experience to back it up. Otherwise most of us just say we havent heard it.

Also, we all have different tastes. So a lot of times it’s more important to ask "why"’something was preferred then "what" was preferred.

I just finished a 2.5 hour comparison of the ODSX and the DAVE and have some impressions. I don’t have time to post them now. But the why, and sonic descriptions will likely be more useful to many then which I chose as "better"....

stay tuned.
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
another consideration is that DACs evolve more rapidly than other components, so the very best today will likely soon be superceded

not so much with speakers, pre-amps, etc.

ejr1953
916 posts
 
I have been enjoying a PS Audio DirectStream DAC now for about 18 months, about a year ago added a PS Audio PerfectWave transport to play CDs.  I use an HDMI cable and connect the two using the I2S interface.

I see that they've discontinued the PerfectWave transport and replaced it with an upgraded DirectStream transport, which from what I read, outputs native DSD out the I2S port (in a way that Sony approves, to prevent people from making illegal copies of DSD played off SACDs), and is supposed to sound significantly better than the combination I'm using.

Anyone upgraded from the PerfectWave to the DirectStream transport also using the DirectStream DAC...have any insight to share?
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
Ejr1953 - great post to start on a new thread. 

Totally not what this thread is about though. 
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