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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
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,137 posts
 
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.
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
Abe - very few DAC's these days require powered USB. In fact, most use their own power supply since it sounds way better.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 

Hi Audioman58, Andreas Coch of Playback Design is a fabulously talented engineer. The zany gang of this DAC watering hole have examined PB and PS Audio DACs at length in the past, as you will be able to read in older pages of this thread... However, currently the gang are examining DACs that appear to be outperforming PB and PS Audio.


G.

  

abedirov's avatar
abedirov
63 posts
 
Matt, my experience is different. Out of the several dacs I've heard in my system only Lampizator models did not need USB power MSB, Bricasti, Hegel, all required a powered USB connection. 
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
Most music servers don't give you the choice. I use the ShortBlock only with the ODSX since it's designed to put it in line and it typically sounds best with it in. I have run all other DAC's with an uninterrupted USB cable. But the ODSX I always have used the Short Block. I will ask Davinci what they suggest. 
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