Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

The path to audiophile happiness winds through Upgrade Canyon and past the Cliffs of Overkill!! Lake Lost In The Music is on the other side.....

Matt, honestly, you would still like the DaVinci in your system.  The Boulder gear is outstanding. That said it is a bit bright.  Not fatiguingly so, but musically so.  You know that I like it, but can't warm up to it. I'd never own it personally, but many of you guys love that flavor and that's why these shootouts are fun.  

What I've found out is that digital is the most system dependent gear in our systems.  I've heard the same DAC in different systems have the same signature, but not sound the same if that makes sense.  You could take your system Matt and put it in the identical room with a different electric feed and it would sound incrementally different.  Just change the feet...OH, you did.  Just change the power cord.....OH, you have....

We've spoken at length about this off the board, but I wanted to post it here as it ties into your post and update.  

Hoping To hear an updated Emm DAC2X soon as well as a Merging Technologies DAC. The updated DAC2X is supposedly a really nice improvement. 

Also hoping my MP-64 Memory Player server will be arriving soon. And trying to arrange an audition with the Audio Doctor for some superb USB cables and maybe an in room listen if the Baetis music server. 

Matt,
 
Did you ever receive the Total Dac stack?  Curious how this company compares to crazy expensive dacs you are listening to these days. 

Hey. Haven’t auditioned the TotalDAC yet. Still planning on it. I have a few other auditions lined up first. Then I’ll try to make that happen.