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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
Post removed 
klh007
621 posts
 
byang12, What mods were applied, and who did them?

byang12's avatar
byang12
39 posts
 
Klh007,
This is my own mod after open the dac up and figure put why factory version has compressed and slow high frequency response. Oppo used cheap diodes and capacitors in a 800 dollar retail price dac which is understandable.  I introduced fast diodes and 6800p silver mica bypass caps in power supply which make sound much smooth and faster.  I want to remove all those unnecessary coupling caps w/ shunt circuit and replace rca plugs with telflon ones which require majr surgery. For now, just bypass cheap couling cap w/ cooper coil and teflon caps, resulting fast and coherent sound for my violin concerto cd and dff collections. Total cost so far including above components and teflon post, crazy glue and teflon 22ga wires is about $250. Of course labor and research is free for myself.
klh007
621 posts
 
It's easy to see why Dan Wright has chosen to mod w/tubes both the OPPO 205 and Sonica, great foundation for advancements. You might want to start a thread detailing your mods and experience with the Sonica.
byang12's avatar
byang12
39 posts
 
Klh007,
Thanks for your suggetion.i will try transformer based mod for sonica dac,
Replace iv and buffer ic circuit with high quality microphone transformers.
Tube mod in such a small package is very challenge. I built all my tube preamps and power amps, the key for a good pre amp is regulated /shunt power supply, which take a lot of space.

Btw, the hidden gem of redbook cd dac is old bbrown 1074 dac chip based assemblage dac. I have one heavily mod w blackgate/silver mica and opa637s. Chinese audiophile writer mr chen had high praise for it(w/o my mod version).
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