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
“We're like licorice. Not everybody likes licorice, but the people who like licorice really like licorice.”

Like most things, there is licorice and then there is fine licorice.

ct - It is the DSP feature of volume control that virtually all of these players force your data to be processed through.  I think it's just easier for them to set 0dB for DSP code than to bypass it.  Also, it takes yet another knob in the GUI to bypass it.  Maybe they are afraid that some users will inadvertently set this knob and blow up their speakers, even though the volume control is set to low. Liability...

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

@ct, Would you consider letting us know which DACs you did find playing above the also rans?
I actually don't remember the name of a couple of them as I'm still new to the personal audio world.  The Walker gear was outstanding.  Some of the DACs that sounded nice from 100hz up were with the Stat's and I've yet to hear a stat that has enough bass for me ( sold my Stax a couple of years ago.). Like I said, I was impressed by the Cayin gear.  
Matt - Any update on the performance of the Mojo DAC since you've had it warming up for a week now? I believe it was a reviewed model so it should have already been burned in and just required some time to settle into your system. Thanks and keep up the good work!

I read that review of Steve's incredible ODSX and Plaskin calls his QX5 a bit forward.  I don't get that in my system at all and I have an Ayre AX5/20 running it.  If a recording is mastered forward, then it will give me that. If it's not, then it won't present that like many others will.

You have to ask yourself, if there is no depth to the recording, can a DAC synthesize depth?

I think it's kind of like asking the DAC to deliver detail in a recording that is not there.

I think it is more likely that the improved depth is the result of a better D/A.  The ODSX is more expensive, so you should expect that.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio