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
Yup, but again, this thread is about the best DAC's and the Codex and Yiggy aren't in that discussion as Matt's thrown out before.  last note and I'll join a new thread if you start it, those DAC's sound pretty different to most folks who have heard both. I'm surprised that you didn't hear a difference the second time.  

For anyone who reads my thoughts on sound, I like a coherent sound (this is why I love and own Vandersteen's (now the Quatro's) that has no smearing and is full range.  I must have a realistic sound stage and imaging.  Tonality, time and pace of the music are also paramount.  For some reason, I can't listen to a system that is too hot on top.  That doesn't mean not extended, it means not distorted.  

Yes, Vandersteen's to me are the best speaker I've heard, but IRT electronics, as much as I love Ayre and own Ayre, I also like a lot of other gear.  I have recently owned Steven Nuggent's DAC and found it to be outstanding.  As dynamic as you could get at the time and very extended.  Never etched though.  It wasn't nearly as liquid in the mids though and I like the Ayre much better because of it.  

Hopefully that explains my posts and why I don't like many of the very expensive DAC;s on the market (I do love plenty of them though, lol).

Matt and I speak on a fairly regular basis and yes I'm planing on getting down there in the near future.  We like a lot of the same sound, but like all of us, hear a bit differently.  It will be interesting to hear what he finally has put in place.  

I know that a few companies will be coming back to the US market within the next year and they will bring very high end DAC's in and I can't wait to hear them also.  This thread should be going for a long long time, lol. 
Your getting into a real snake pit
  At 10k.  Buy the first one ya see
It will do something real good 
Well, I have a Chord Dave now, and my initial impressions are that I like the Yggy better.
Just proves that different ears in different rooms listening to different equipment hear different things.

There are those that consider the DAVE revolutionary! I have one in my room right now. My initial impressions will be posted shortly.

I’m glad you found a DAC you are happy with Limbiscate! That’s awesome.

If I may, "better" is a decision. To the readers a decision is good to know, but WHY is useful to everyone. So please give us the sound qualities of both, pros, cons, and what led you to your decision. Then we can all have a reference point to compare to something everyone may be familiar with