Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Snopro, you are not correct on the Forumla vs the Terminator.

The Formula was recently updated with new technology and Sarjan was running the original Formula. 

When Six Moons reviewed the Terminator vs the Formula this was the original Optologic board and not the newer XHD version which dramatically raises the level of the Forumla to nearly the best available changes include:

• Proprietary hybrid 2-stage XMOS xCore XE216 FPGA • Fully-floating (isolated) USB decoding and clock generation by FPGA with proprietary code • High quality, long life, low noise parts and modular design that distinguish aqua – acoustic quality equipment • Sample rate in “Bit Perfect” up to 768 kHz PCM and quad rate DSD (DSD256) • Latest version of customised XMOS X Core Driver on Windows OS (W7, W10) • Native X Core Audio on Mac OS (Bit Perfect) • USB Audio 2.0 operation on Linux (Bit Perfect)

This update has required significant optimisation of code for the main FPGA of R2R ladder DAC which has improved sound quality.
The new hybrid USB XMOS xCore 200 (dual core) FPGA circuitry enables the high-resolution file playback up to 768kHz PCM and up to DSD256 (Quad DSD)

One point that is being ommitted is long term design viability, the Aqua is comptely FPGA implimented and can easily morph into the lastet technolgy from a company that has been in business making award winning dacs for 8 years.

With that being said, we have both the Formula and the Davinci, the Davinci is in another league over the Formula and it is not even close we have the latest Formula Optologic XHD.

We are not denying the buzz on the Terminator, however, there was one review on the Terminator which wasn't so positive, the reviewer liked the dac but not a rave. 

The T+A Dac 8 DSD especially when fed a DSD 512 signal sounds like most $10k plus dacs, and it costs $4.2k the Dac 8 uses totally different design concepts and isn't as an elaborately constructed piece but boy does it sound good. 

So yes the Terminator is a very very good dac and it is priced very reasonably, state of the art not quite, great sound for the money probably.

The more interesting comparison will be the Davinci 2 Dual Dac vs the Lampy units.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ 

Hi Joe,
Have you heard the Denafrips?
Will it replace your PS Audio DS?
You have very good ears and taste, thus my curiosity 😊

Matt,
I look forward to your Lampizator Pacifica/Davinci DAC comparison.  I suspect this will be a very enjoyable and informative task.
Charles 

Hi Charles,
No I have not heard it yet. I would like to, figured maybe Matt might have heard it.
This thread is to long didn’t want to search through all the pages.

Audiotroy thanks for pointing that out, still for the money it looks like a very good Dac.

I heard the Aqua Formula before the update and thought it sounded really nice, but I really don’t want to send that much on a DAC. I still prefer vinyl better.

Snopro, listen to a T+A Dac 8 DSD we have found nothing under $10k that can touch it, use a fast Core 7 Computer with  Jriver set the program to output 16/44 to DSD 512  and sit back and enjoy. It is freakishly good sounds like a good $10k analog rig.

If you are wondering why the little Dac 8 can beat much larger chasis/more elaborate designs, think of this one, T+A is the largest electronics manufacturer in Germany with a full time engineering staff of 14 and a staff of 110 full time employees, they have the resources to develop completely proprietary technology, the DAC 8 DSD uses both novel filter technology as well as all in house DSD technology that is proprietary and does not relay on a chip based solution. The T+A is similar to a Chord Dave but is warmer and a bit more engaging. 

The Terminator does seem like an excellent piece on paper and I am sure there are people who will dig its presentation, but there are other issues with a tiny unknown company such as driver compatibility, long term reliability as well.  

We had an earlier Forumla it was good but still lacked some air, the new XHD version is very analog like, one of the more critical guys in audio Mike Lavigne who has a $400k +  system was using the Formula before trading it out for a $90k MSB Select Dac, so we know the Formula is ranked way up there with dac's like the Lampy, the Formula is very, very, musical but doesn't dig out the last bit of air and resolution of the Davinci.

The Davinci is the best sounding digital we have yet encountered, it has incredible resolution, a huge soundstage, and a very natural midrange. 

Top that off with a modular design, that can be upgraded and some really outside the box thinking and parts selection, and you have a true challenger to some of the best sounding digital out there, the only downside, very hard to get, and expensive. 

We didn't want to get one but after hearing one clobber the $25k Meitner Da2 which was a superb dac it was love at first listen.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ

Joe,
I know that you live in the NYC  area and very likely have access to hear the T+A DAC 8. If you do get an opportunity to hear this or the Denafrips Terminator please share your listening impressions. 

When people write comments such as "We have found nothing under 10K that  can touch it"  this enters the realm of hyperbole,  whether intentional or not.
Charles