Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

ctsooner, send me an email and we will set you up with a demo when it works for you.

Just so everyone has the price of the SGM, $16,000.

There are several that are more expensive and many others that cost less. But sometimes you do get what you pay for.

At this time the only options are larger SS HD above the included 1TB SSD. 2TB or 4TB.

For a larger music file library one can use a NAS. And in some cases that is the preferred way to go.

Yes, exciting times. We are always investigating, testing, evaluating and implementing if it makes sense. We have had a few software upgrades. No hardware, yet.  

Guys please also consider the Music Vault Ultra as well as other models from Neal at Sound Science. Plug and play with remote service and help if needed etc... Lifetime Roon all for $4000 and up. 

Neal is expert in these matters and his product is outstanding. I am a very happy customer and one who dislikes working with computers. I thought I would never give up spinning CDs, but Neal made it so simple and the sound quality is actually better! 

Another great option to consider. 

Nice sales pitch, Al. No reason for me to doubt claims about SGM 2015, but one of these days pricing audio gear for the luxury spenders must end. Competition is heating up. Computer parts are cheap.

Don't take it personal. The Antipodes was priced around $4,500 until an "agreement" was made to sell it for $6,500 in the US.

Anyhow, you got your free advertising.

Al, it's ctsooner@alumni.ou.edu  I look forward to hearing from you. Matt and I spent most of last night texting about all the servers out here and our thoughts on ones we've auditioned so far and ones we need to.  

JH, this thread has taken on it's own life and as much as it's a thread about 'the best' for CD DAC, it's not morphed into the server and also cable/connection part.  We have had many manufacturer's and distributors following and posting for the whole 2 years plus.  That said they also open themselves up to criticism when Matt or someone else doesn't like their product or feels it's way over priced for what you get.  

I never knew Steve Nugent and Empirical Audio existed until this thread and I'm so glad I owned his ODSE/SE and even loved the short block (sold with ODSE/SE) and the Synchromesh reclocker (for sale if anyone wants one).  Great products and great value from a great guy.  I bet others have a similar story.  I bet many didn't even know what a Lampy DAC was before this thread and now love what they own.  

jh901, how can I not take it personally when you use "sales pitch' and 'free advertising".

1st, no sales pitch, I just stated the facts. The SGM 2015 was mentioned several times and I just let everyone know a little about it. I never gave my opinion on performance or mentioned any of the stellar reviews, oops, now you got me, lol.

As far as price...I hear this from some audiophiles for years now. And while I can, at times, understand it when one is talking about $100,000+ amps and $150,000+ speakers etc I almost never hear the same people say the same about expensive luxury goods of most kinds. This is a capitalist society the last time I checked.

But lets talk for a minute about what it takes to price a piece of equipment at a "fair" price not just for the consumer but also for the manufacture.
Yes, there are some reasonable cost parts. But that is not all that went into the SGM.
There are CUSTOM power supplies, CUSTOM copper heat sinks, a CUSTOM 5PPB Clock and case to name a few. Not to mention the mods that are done to many of those "cheap computer parts".

The man hours that went into CUSTOMIZING the OS for the best sound and usability, not to mention the man hours that will be needed to keep it up to date.
Or the man hours that it took to evaluate each part used for sound performance and durability. Yes all the PC parts too.

Then there is the man hours that will be needed to support the SGM for EACH user during ownership.
Such as evaluating software updates and remote excess support for users to name a few.
Then there is warranty to consider.
Advertising and...I can go on.
Then after ALL (some I did not mention) that one has to consider what percentage of the target market would even have a buying interest. If it is low it means low sales volume. Hard to survive and risky on a small markup. At the same time you try to use a fair markup so sales will be reasonable.
Then I hear the argument that x markup is not fair or too high, lol.
It is so easy to criticize when one does not have to risk the company.

Yes, some equipment costs less then others...but it is more to it then "cheap computer parts"

 I have praised only a few manufactures over the years. And never as a dealer as I never was. I am not a dealer per se now either.
I was asked if I would be interested to help demo and promote the SGM.
I excepted because I TRULY believe in the product and the people behind it. Do I get compensated, duh, but not by much.

Finally, my word is my bond. My word is important to me. If I post or say something it is TRULY what I believe or I have experienced. Of course it is at times just my humble opinion. 

Sorry for the long...rant.