Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Hey Mike. Honored to have you post!!

I'm speaking with them now actually. I left a message with Al and am waiting for him to call back so we can organize an audition. Glad to hear your enjoying your system! I'm really looking forward to getting my Davinci Light Harmonic 2 in to elevate my system that next step, although this ODSX of mine is just flatly stupid good for the $$$. 

Good to see your lurking about. Welcome!

You guys forced me to report before I was done playing and testing. Lol. So now I need to give little updates!!

I adjusted one secondary setting on Roon on the Antipodes which turned off a small file database search setting which I can't imagine will affect anything honestly. But I started playing with something that has implemented a pretty big change which forces me to start comparing from scratch, which is great!!!!

The short explanation....
My ODSE/ODSX has always benefited from placing the Empirical Audio "Short Block" filter between source and DAC. I've related the comparison over and over and it's basically always ended better with it in. It does some subtle filtering, but most importantly divides the 5V USB power supply passing from source to DAC. The Antipodes has both a 5V on and Off USB output on its back. I used the "on" USB output and counted on my shortblock to cut that 5V supply. I just tried removing the shortblock and ran the USB from the 5V off USB output to the DAC (no shortblock in place).....

WOW! What a difference!!!!!!!! 

Emailing Steve after I post this to get his thoughts. I would not have expected this, but it clearly implemented a big change. 

Stay tuned. 

Regarding the DX to DS comparison I can't comment. I do believe that there is equipment that requires higher levels of resolution to get the most out of them. So a DS may sound better then a DX on certain systems. I just don't know since I don't have both to compare. 

Matt, do you know if the Da Vinchi DAC needs a powered USB connection?

Heard the DV 1 when it first came out in an Atlanta show years ago. Our group all thought it was a Dac that was ahead of its class @ $20K. The show Dac was selling for $16K. It was not hard to hear the realism that it provided to all who were in the room.

When I first saw this thread I thought, why doesn't this guy go out and hear the DV and end all this A/B stuff 😳

I do believe you are on top of something great with this machine. We all had a great time talking to the designer and he is a brilliant man!

i copied your Antipodes thoughts to Mike Powell who sells them and is well trained in all things Antipodes so he may chime in with further insights concerning playback options.