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
@toetapaudio   since you had asked & i hope i'm disturbing of hijacking  the good doc's thread. Apologies if i'm.
i had considered getting a torus or an equitech.
Since i'm based in india the customs duty & red tape is a bit forbidding, Hence i've decided to get a custom made solution from a local company who specialises in making it for various industries .
I'm getting 6X2.5 kva balanced power units. & will be adding a grounding product( Most probably a mix of entreq & telos) in the mix.
Stacore has been getting great reviews lately , among many others another brand which is also gets recommended often on  this side of the atlantic esp in euorpe is another polish company called http://f-franc.com/portfolio/platform/
I've seen it being used in quite a few rooms in Munich, but of course there could me many reasons to it.

Perfect example of Stove Piping. 🏭 Oft times times things get developed like stove pipes for better or worse. Over here we use our own Isolation stands. Townsend seems to be the big exception. Whereas you guys use your own isolation stands. Oblivious to the other guys’. How many isolation devices are there now, worldwide? 20? 30? More?

You’re a Stove Piper, Stove Piper, Stove Piper,
Stove Piper, Stove Piper, Stove Piper, Stove
Yes you are!
Geoffkait- that’s just weird..... 😜

There are lots of good products out there. Here, there, everywhere. We can’t easily get their stuff and they can’t easily get our stuff. We use ours and they use thars. But I don’t care if they have Stars on Thars or No Stars on Thars. Sneetches on beeches don’t listen to stereos anyway!

I haven’t had time to do anything except obsess endlessly about what layout rack I should go with. 3x2, 2x2 with amp stands, or something creative.