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
Great observations Matt.  Thanks for doing that.  I hope that we can also get the HRS footers to see if the extra price also means better sound.  Sometimes, as well know, it actually does, but not always.  What often looks like the same materials or the same implementation isn't.  

As we have said, the Stillpoints and HRS hard footers are usually better than the others out there to many folks who have actually done head to head comps.  All too often we read posters or dealers telling us that they have a giant killer etc.. and they really may not since they only know what they sell and they use the words the company wants them to use.  

That's teh cool thing about what you are doing.  You really don't have a dog in the fight unless it's something you have already owned.  You may want to like your's better, but I also know that you are one of the few who can separate ownership and thinking your's is better.  Wiht footers or platforms, you also have to take into consideration the stands you use them on etc...  As you have already posted, there is no be all end all here and folks need to get these devices in their own systems to see which they like best.
Doesn't foobar also support DLNA? That was the one that I used while I was experimenting with the ethernet input, apart from Jriver.

I didn't know that, thanks.  I have not used Foobar for years, so I only have an older version.  I'll give it a try.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

Brittany Spears - Oops I did it again
Flock of Seagulls - SpaceAge Love Song
The Wiggles - Hot Potato
Abbot & Costello - Whose on First
Clint Eastwood plays the Clasics - Chopsticks 


😂😂😂

Sorry. I couldn’t help myself. 

I’ll post the real lost tomorrow. I’m too tired to think anything but silly now. 😜