Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

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.

Interesting thread IRT to the server's. I have heard a few of them and still like my Steve Nugent build Mac Mini/Paul Hynes unit.  I want an all in one that can be controlled by a pad and use Roon.  Not too much to ask, but some of the best solutions don't and won't do this. Aurender is one of these, however I can do without Roon if I have to so the N10 is in the mix. I need to get one in my system again as it's been awhile since I compared the two and my system is at a much different level now that I have put the AQ Horizon balanced interconnect in as well as the AQ Diamond full time.  Those two changes have made HUGE differences and even the wife asked what I did as it sounds so much more 'real' (her words).

Some of the units will be out of my price range I'm sure.  I have been told that the SGM is THE best server by a few who have auditioned nearly everything on or coming to market.  I still wonder how the Music Vault would fair in this competition or if it too would not quite make it.  

What a great evolution of this thread. I think the problem with digital is that many of us just want a plug and play unit where we don't need to go into settings and make changes per say.  I realize that digital is different, but it's a pain to be honest and I know others feel the same way. Before piling on, I"m just sharing my feelings and realize how audio is.  I also never rolled tubes and have owned tube gear of some sort (or all) since the 70's.

Playback designs  has been up sampling  DSD for a long time and makes a great dac. I have the ps audio direct stream also converts everything to upsampled DSD and sounds very good. 
A dedicated player- server is essential .you don't want a standard computer inducing all that noise . Aurender, and Antipods look to be 
top tier machines.