Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Matt, Curious what rack or platform, footers, and PCs you are using when comparing DACs. Are you holding those variables constant, or tweaking to find the best result for each application?  I have found that for some components these tweaks can make very meaningful differences, and at your high level of performance could possibly erase some of the minor distinctions between DACs.

Ctsooner, you have made "enimies" talking about audio gear?  Wow.  Not sure how that is possible but, ok, maybe some take this a little too far.  Point is, not sure I would trust your opinion on this or the opinion of the competitor designer whoever he or she is (that is a polite way of saying, I don't).  And not sure anyone else should either.   Like you say, listen for yourself.  And I certainly do not need your validation.  Hopefully we are not enemies now.  I don't think I have any at the moment, lol.

Ok. 

Time me to move back to the original thread. 

Dgarretson- you bring up a good point.

2 ways to compare:

1) keep everything absolutely consistent and change 1 and only 1 variable.
2) do what needs to be done with each item to allow each to shine as much as it can.

I sort of do both but lean heavily more toward the first. I can’t compare fairly with anything that would change the sound (i.e. Different power cords, interconnects, power conditioning). But I have no problem tweaking vibration control and such (of course that changes the sound also, but it's just helping the untinsound its best). I use my top tier Adona racks and typically put Stillpoint Ultra 5’s under the DAC’s to isolate. I find they are crazy good (although crazy expensive). I think I will eventually go for an all Stillpoints rack. But for now my Adonna is excellent. Also, my room is sitting on concrete in a quiet suburb with very few homes on very many acres of land. So micro-vibration is well controlled and macro vibration rarely exists.

CTSooner and Wardl - I have officially ended you guys. Enough. Give each other an audiophile man hug, agree to disagree and keep the conversation to the topic please. Thank you. Your Welcome. :)

Matt, Stillpoints are great and tactically flexible in a variety of settings. I use Ultra 5s as turntable and speaker footers and Ultra SSs under several components lodged in a custom steel rack.  But if you ever get around to a strategic rethink of the Adona rack, also consider the Starsound Rhythm racks and platforms.  Starsound racks and platforms made a major difference with my Esoteric digital front end and Pass monoblocks.  You'd have to pry them loose from my dead hands.