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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
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,518 posts
 
I find Roon very enjoyable and use the DSP feature to good effect with no noticeable degradation in sound quality that I could detect. I use the EQ tool as well as volume leveling and up sampling at times. Wonderful!

I did not like engaging the headroom feature that some reviewers seem to love. Just robbed the music of a little life IMHO. 
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
Steve, what do you now recommend I do with my Mac mini server that you sold me?  I still have the old Amarra etc...  Should I keep it off the internet totally?  I've been using the USB port that you marked as best SQ.  As you know, I'm not technically great.  Tidal is currently streamed in the Ayre QX5 and not the Mac mini.  Thanks.  I can call you if needed to get your answer or be talked through set up, lol....
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amg56
887 posts
 

I had a dilemma with playing iTunes or JRiver, rips and other music files downloads with an equality of sound on my Antelope Zodiac Platinum Dac. The timing crystal is completely environmentally isolated so the timing is stable all the time (I leave mine on all the time). I wanted to convert these to the same bit depth and sample rate and in .wav format (storage is so cheap now). I use Aul ConvertR 48x44 PROduce-RD software to do all my conversions to my NAS which is my ROON server. I can play from NAS, stream from Node or Naim, play via Ethernet (for reliability) and Airplay through my Yamaha amp, (soon to by upgraded bigtime). I can listen to internet radio (preselected or me typing my favourite radio's ulr). My sound is uniform, until I play MQA and then the clarity is much improved. The thing is uniformity. You cant get a 16/44 CD quality file to be HD. What the Aul ConvertR software does is give you a means to input any format to (any) format you choose and change the bit depth and sample rate along the wany. It makes a big difference. The developer has also worked with JCat audio components for PCs. I used their gear to output quality sound via usb to the DAC and out via HD800 h/phones. I now convert all files from PC to NAS and play via Roon. Best sound ever, even if my system is not worth $10k all up. (This will all change when my new house, with a dedicated media room is built. I have project system worth well over $100k going in and the sound will be sublime...  sorry for long blog, but its a big subject.

Adrian

gdhal's avatar
gdhal
1,641 posts
 
I wanted to convert these to the same bit depth and sample rate and in .wav format (storage is so cheap now).

While I certainly do agree that "cheap" or "expensive" is subjective, I humbly submit you are probably making a mistake to store as wav (instead of a lossless compressed alternative).

Assuming your collection grows, at some point you will be compelled to rethink storing files in wav format.

In my particular case, I have 20+ terabytes of music stored as flac. If I stored in wav, I suppose I could say I have 40 terabytes. Besides the fact the cost of three additional western digital drives would be $600, I’d also need another cubic feet or more of physical space. Not clear to me where the benefit lies.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 

Steve, what do you now recommend I do with my Mac mini server that you sold me?  I still have the old Amarra etc...  Should I keep it off the internet totally?  I've been using the USB port that you marked as best SQ.  As you know, I'm not technically great.  Tidal is currently streamed in the Ayre QX5 and not the Mac mini.  Thanks.  I can call you if needed to get your answer or be talked through set up, lol....

I have upgraded my Mini with El Capitan and I'm using it with Linn Kinsky to drive network audio now.  Superb SQ, best I ever had.  Not sure if it supports Tidal or not.  I will give Tidal a try soon.  Once you upgrade the OS, the OR5 will not work anymore with the Mac.

Other customers are starting to move from USB to Ethernet.  My Interchange Ethernet renderer is killer good with any DAC.  Look for customer feedbacks on my forum.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

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