Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Thanks Matt.  Yes, that was the deal. I just knew that they were identical other than a connection. Clock, not source connection, lmao.....  What if your DAC has a great clock.  How would that then work?  Does it then get bypassed if you use an external clock?  Why not use a great clock INSIDE said server?  I just don't fully understand it, that's all I guess. 

I heard the Brinkmann Nyquist DAC about a  year or so ago (not totally sure, but it was just before it came to market).  I was really impressed and have probably mentioned it in this thread, but I know I have told Matt multiple times that it was a really impressive session.  I spoke with more than a few who heard it recently with the Vandersteen speakers at a show and were blown away by how great sounding the music was in that room all weekend.  I was able to bend RV's ear about the sound that weekend.  He told me that was the first time he enjoyed digital.  Keep in mind that he works the shows and doesn't get out to hear all the digital gear out there.  He's like Fremer, a true analog guy.  He said that he was surprised at how good the sound was with the Nyquist.  I thought it was a 14k DAC, but I immediately said that it was most probably better than my Ayre QX5/20, which is to my ears, a highly musical DAC and plenty detailed.

I just read Fremer's review of the Nyquist online for Stereophile.  He too feels the same way that I did the first time I heard it.  I did hear it with some MQA recordings that seemed to be very well recorded to show off MQA as well as the DAC.  I thought I'd share the review with you guys.  Hope you enjoy the read (this is for those who think I only like Ayre gear, lol).

https://www.stereophile.com/content/brinkmann-audio-nyquist-da-processor

JA pretty much trashed it in the measurements section. Perhaps another example where measurements and human hearing are at odds?

Dave

Not sure why Brinkmann opted for tubed output stage but it sure didn't help their measurements. But JA has measured many a piece of kit that sounds damn good and measures damn bad. 

Audio products that sound terrific per the Stereophile viewers and yet measure poorly per JA. This dilemma has been noted by quite a few observers  over the years. 
Charles