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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
abedirov's avatar
abedirov
63 posts
 
Is it already July 19th? :))
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 

Thank you Richard... Matt, if Antipodes DX2 is officially "Off the island", please do post your final comparative findings vs Aurender N10.... Audiophrenic minds crave to know!!!!


Saluti, G.

  

glory's avatar
glory
1,614 posts
 
I tend to agree with the Moonhead reviewer that most of these HE Dac / Servers are like breaking the Olympic record by 100th of a second. 

A Secretariat win there is not!! 

$10K on up will get you into a great sounding Dac but there are $30/40K dacs that are better? Oh and the $50/75K dacs will bring you into glory!! So when you find the "best" Dac a short time passes and the urge to look again for the top Dac starts all over. 

I have the Antipodes Dx gen 32 plus 6 and it is the ...... no it a loser 😧
ricred1
2,005 posts
 
I submit at this level it's about preference and component synergy. My friend compared the Aurrender N1O to the Antipodes DX and preferred the DX in his system(Absolare amp and preamp, Raidho C3.1 speakers, and the Chord Dave DAC). I have the Antipodes DS GT, which is a step in price below the DX. I recently compared the DS GT to he DX in my system and I preferred the DS GT.
glory's avatar
glory
1,614 posts
 
"I submit at this level it's about preference and component synergy"

Old worn out thought. Could it be a sickness of trying to find the top and then reaching it only to find you are at the bottom when the one you haven't tried turns up in a new box??


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