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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
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,938 posts
 
Imgoodwithtools, we had a customer bring in his Berkley Ref 1 which I know in'st the latest howerver we compared it to our Davinci Dual Dac MK I which isn't as good as the newer MK II. So it was a fair title match up last series of each head to head. 

The Davinci was signifigently more like an analog source with a bigger soundstage and a more holographic sound stage. The Berkly was superb I think we also compared both to the EMM Labs Da 2 the new $25k one, and both of these dacs were better than the Emm. 

You should listen to one if you can, they are very rare dac's but as Matt will attest to one of the most remarkable pieces of digital out there.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ


nitewulf
437 posts
 
http://lightharmonic.com/products/da-vinci-dac-mkii/

"Now we’ve decided to push the boundaries once again with Da Vinci MKII’s 32/768 kHz PCM resistor ladder DAC engine. And history will repeat itself.

Da Vinci MKII’s second decoding engine is a pure Delta-Sigma DAC capable of decoding DSD signals up to DSD256."

As I thought, the PCM decoder is a resistor ladder circuit.  The DSD engine is Delta Sigma.

Personally have no respect for LH Labs, as they kickstarted the Vi dac and took money from customers without delivery. But doesn't mean they can't build a good dac.


audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,938 posts
 
Nitewolf,  the Davinci has  two completely separate dacs in one chassis.

There is a pure resisitor ladder as well as a sigma delta engine for DSD and both enginges sound fantastic. 

There is a lot of innovative ideas in the Davinci and the excution is flawless the entire chassis is cut out of two billets of aluminu, the output stage runs in pure Class A  it actually gets hot, so they are running some actual juice through it. 

As per Kickstarter most of the people got their products, LH labs is slow as hell in delivering product especially new products.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ


mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
I can attest to the LH build quality and Sonics, that’s for sure.

I believe Dave is correct in LH’s Kickstarter delivery. I think they have caught up on most if not all at this time. They are slow slow slow. They are focusing on their relationship with Tesla from what I understand; not right or justifiable, but they made their bed and now have to lie in it.

But man can they make a top shelf DAC!!!

See you in a few hours Dave. Hopefully with the Baetis in tow. Dave’s bringing over some Uber usb cables as well: Enklein and the LH usb cable. I can’t wait to hear them!
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
the output stage runs in pure Class A  it actually gets hot, so they are running some actual juice through it

So is the output stage of the Overdrive SX, as well as the other stages.  I expect my output stage is more linear than DaVinci.

They are focusing on their relationship with Tesla from what I understand; not right or justifiable, but they made their bed and now have to lie in it.

What is their relationship with Tesla?  I am an owner and stockholder.

Should existing, operating companies use kickstarter? Maybe startups...

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

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