Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Matt, we've spoken so much about it all.  Yes, IR a fanboy for all the reasons stated that don't even deal with my feeling that for the price the SQ is the best for ME.  They just stand by their products even out of warranty if needed.  I love that about any company ;).

Aolmrd brings up a serious point.  I'm sure they will make you happy Matt, but there is a lot of money involved.  How many folks could they take care of if problems arise and the company is gone or won't stand behind the products.  It's scary for any of us when purchasing an expensive product.  That's one reason I don't buy used that much anymore.  Been burned a couple of times already.  Thankful that companies like Aesthetix and Empirical have stood behind their gear, but it's expensive lessons we all learn.

Accurate Reproduction of Music has nothing to do with something that is emotioonally engaging, just saying. If you want super Acurate sound why not setup a Studio monitor instead since they are built for accuracy.

True Dragon_Vibe. Accuracy is an objective measurement. That's what we have JA for. Lol. 

Emotional engagement is as subjective as it comes. 

I always find it fascinating to see how different listeners listen for different things to hit their emotional target. Imaging, soundstage, leading edge, trailing edge, dynamics, scale, noise floor, subtlety, low frequency extension, etc etc. We all want it all, but one or two things in particular hit that personal spot and make us sink into nirvana. 

I just love this hobby! And the people who share it with me!

Studio Monitors setup correctly will give you very accurate sound reproduction, I use Studio monitors in the office and bedroom. Does it give you that magical sound audiophiles tend to refer too. No....

Horns or High sensitive Single Wide band Speakers do this better paired with Tube Amps. We all have our own opinion iv lived with super expensive gear and large Solid state amps. Now I’m using High Sensitive Speakers and lower powered Amps. Listening to music is now shifted from the realms of just listening to feeling emotional waves from it. It is a different feeling altogether.

What is it that Tube Amps paired with high sensitive speakers do that  large Solid State Amps driving inefficient speakers cant do? I have yet to figure that out.

Fascinating. Larry of Distinctive Stereo came over to my office last weekend to play. I bought a Wells Innamorata amp from him (just WOW! It's the best "affordable" amp you've never heard of!!!) to match up to the new Scansonic 2.5 speakers I just got. Sounds AWESOME!!

We used his Aurender A10 (which is a single unit combo N100H server and built in DAC) and compared that to using just the A10 server portion output via USB to an external DAC (Axogal Comet and Playback Design's Merlot).

The A10 with internal DAC readily beat the A10 server feeding either the Axogal or the Merlot. Seriously! The internal DAC in the A10 sounded the best is probably a result of being a good DAC, using a linear power supply, crazy short I2S jumper between server board and DAC, shared clock and just good design and synergy.

Also, the A10 server sourcing the Axogal DAC sounded BETTER then sourcing the Merlot!!! Not huge, but considering the $3+ K difference it still says a lot. That Comet Plus is a damn good DAC for its crazy affordable price!

Thanks Larry, for a super fun day! And thanks for helping work your magic to get my 2.5's dialed in perfectly!

Talking about dealers, I want to shout out to Paul Hovenga of Many Moons Audio who has provided exceptional customer service on a purchase that had some functional issues; and who will be arranging a TotalDAC Uber DAC/server audition for me in the coming months!

And a well deserved shout out to Dave, The Audio Doctor who just received my Davinci 2 today and has stood behind Light Harmonic and made sure my product was delivered without drama or issue! Can't wait to get that in my rack!!!