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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
jriggy's avatar
jriggy
565 posts
 
Hi Matt, 
long time reader, first time poster (I think... actually maybe I have posted in this thread once already?).
So glad to hear you love the Wells Audio Innamorata. They truly are good aren't they? I own the Innamorata Signature. It's twice the price but talk about special. So clean and so musical with absolutely no transistor artifacts to speak of,  yet with all the tube like harmonics one would ask for... I too am surprised the Innamorata amps are not considered more. Just another excellent audio company that not a lot of people are aware of, I guess.
I hope you enjoy it for a long time.
Jason
glory's avatar
glory
1,614 posts
 
Comet is off the ground and in orbit and sounds  incredible.

Just a few minor adjustments with USB cable and footers and away she went.

I take back any negative thoughts written down about the Comet here on this Thread!!


exogal_ceo
20 posts
 
Thanks for giving it a chance!
glory's avatar
glory
1,614 posts
 
No thank you for not defending your work and ranting about this and that. You are a honorable man.
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
Color me misinformed, but I thought the Merlot was $6500-

With the Comet Plus at $3500- there’s not a huge difference in price here.

Both are excellent choices in their price point. But I consider the Comet a HUGE value for the money, I mean H U G E!!! The Merlot is properly priced and is an excellent DAC for the money.

I don’t think I would suggest someone with a $95k system to audition a Comet Plus as their primary DAC. The Merlot would do their system proud. But I will openly admit that in my small Wells audio/Scansonic sub 10k office system, the Comet did sound a scootch better then the Merlot. And the A10 internal DAC sounded better then both. I was shocked. But go figure......

Interestingly, we did swap power cords and USB cables to make things as fair as possible because everyone was so surprised with the results. It didn’t make a difference. We used a cheap crappy belkin usb and the TotalDAC USB. And a few different power cords. I do think that the Comet (like most DAC’s) requires massive hours of burn in to truly sound its best. And this Comet was well burned in.

As I say, opinions vary and the only way to hear if something works in your system is to try it out.
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