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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
mikelavigne
2,199 posts
 

Matt,

as far as the ’look’ of the Artesania; if you observe pictures of gear on it, it’s the gear itself that jumps out, not the rack. since there are no shelves to hide the gear, only the skeleton of the ’functional structure’. and whether you choose light grey, dark grey, or black as a rack frame color will change how it looks next your wall in room. and with free air flow around your gear, your gear is happier thermodynamically. i have no dog in the fight, since i don’t own Artesania or plan to buy it. only that take the $30k you don’t spend on those other crazy expensive racks, and upgrade that DaV-MP combo to the MSB Select II-SGM. as good as your reference is, there is another step beyond (just my 2 cents, YMMV, and all that stuff). and, of course, both the MSB Select II and the SGM are products created to be constantly upgraded and take the customers with them on that path.

i can’t personally hook you up with an MSB Select II in room demo, but i have a room here for you to stay in should you want to visit and hear it for yourself here in the barn (compared directly to vinyl and tape). and connect with a local MSB dealer (not sure who has a Select II as a demo; I know that ’Mike’ in SW Florida just got a Select II as a demo the same spec as mine--full tilt--he is going nuts over it).

ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
Matt, the other thing that folks never seem to talk about (other than HRS) that I know of, is what type of case are you trying to use the device with. Are the cases solid or are they 'sheets of metal'?  There are differences if I recall correctly.  
wig's avatar
wig
1,274 posts
 
Guys,

I'm considering a Dac again just for Redbook only utilizing my Modwright Marantz SA 8005 Tube CD Player; tried a Berkeley and a Lampizator level 4 with my Modwright Sony 5400 but found them lacking...

Lots of talk about the Yiggy, why and what would you recommend?

Thanks,
Wig
jwm
918 posts
 
Wig your Marantz would not be my choice for transport if used with dacs. I would suggest a PS Audio Memory Player as it is way more transparent than your cd player. I bet you would have liked those dacs more if you had this transport.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 

If you are planning to spin CD's, first reduce the jitter from the CD transport, then think about a new DAC.  Either CD player as a transport is fine, but you can minimize the jitter by adding a Synchro-Mesh reclocker ($599.00) and a reference S/PDIF coax cable ($499). LPS upgrade also available.

Here is a typical transport jitter:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=154408.0

Much higher than you would expect it to be.

BTW, I also have a demo Overdrive SX DAC that might be available soon.  It could be demoed right away with a refundable deposit.

At least look at the top DACs reviewed by audiostream.  "best bits"

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

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