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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
neoshah
33 posts
 
All isolation and footers are system and taste specific. However just adding my experience. 
In my friends setup. I've heard the shun mook giants under the neoaudio origine cdp and it's made a phenomenal change esp the bass. It replaced the ultra 5.
All the best 
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
Shakira - Mojo is sending me a Mystique shortly. Thanks.

Neoshah - I’m trying to arrange for some ShunMook footers. I have been told by several people that they are musts on the audition list.

I cant tell you guys how big a difference these footers make. There are more subtle results with some, but changing from one to another can be staggeringly different. Seriously.
ricevs
1,543 posts
 
My favorite inexpensive footers are the ones from Mad Scientist.  I have not tried his very latest but the ones he sells for $200 (for three) are way better than the best DH cones into Walker lead pucks.  Some have liked these better than Stillpoints.  I believe he gives 30 day money back......he is in New Zealand, however.
jwm
918 posts
 
George my problem with the hand shake to the switch is fixed. One of the settings in jriver for the network was set wrong. I bought the EMO  Safe EN-70 Ethernet isolator adaptor. Where do I insert this in the chain? Also what is the in and out as one end is black and the other end is white. Thx Jeff 
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
I haven't even shared this with Matt yet, but I was given a few sets of the feet that BEL ( Brown Labs) used back in the day.  Just inexpensive and simple hard rubber feet.  I installed them under my Ayre integrated as well as the Ayre QX5/20 and my Steven Nugent built Mac mini with Paul Hynes LPS.  

Each piece sounded a bit better.  Cleaner, tighter bass and a spec more stable soundstage.  Not huge differences, but positive ones.  These are a dirt cheap option for folks who have folded cases and don't have much money to play with.  I think that Timbre Audio in Houston, TX sells them.  

Get in touch with Joe Heusi or his son Michael  if you want to get a set.  They are really cool guys with a brand new, built from scratch show room.  (713) 523-0494. 

They have the Linn gear too. Matt, have you had the LINN in? I just realized that they have been left out and I know they do great digital. I have their lifestyle Kiko unit in the bedroom.  It's decent for what it is, but their big gear is really good stuff.  
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