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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
ketcham
92 posts
 
CT-

Been a while since I posted here.  My conclusion regarding Ethernet optical vs. RJ45 copper.  Optical causes magnitude more jitter but removes electrical noise in your network.  A quiet well implemented network with LPS, audiophile design network switch and clean AC power source, stick with RJ45 and excellent cable:  per Steve Nugent, Wire World Platinum silver at $$.  If you have my situation and a noisy, piss poor implemented network with horrid AC power.  Go Optical and address the jitter with a re-clocker or quality dac/ethernet input, audiophile Ethernet switch.  

I have seen these measurements and as Steve Nugent has said, devil is in the details.  New products are being developed out of Korea that address network issues and engineering with optical technology was a non-starter.  This leads me to conclude that similar issues associated with Toslink apply here.

To me, jitter by network does not make sense as data is sent in packets and there is a check sum for errors with Ethernet.

I can speak for Empirical, as most who have his products do. I wish his interchange was capable of RAAT protocol that ROON uses.  
ctsooner's avatar
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
Ketch, how are you man?  Call me this weekend.  I have been thinking about you.  Thanks for sharing this.  I have The Memory Player coming in with integrated DAC, so I won't have to concern myself with USB or Ethernet, lol.  I'm hoping that they can figure out the Roon situation also and soon as I do want to use it if possibly (without it hurting the SQ).  This is the same player Matt is using, but he has an external DAC.  

Great to see you post...let's catch up.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
I think the fixation on DACs and their sound is a mistake. Get a good high quality tube preamp with the right tubes and create the tailored sound you want. Simply Connect a high performance SS DAC - any number of Stereophile class A+ will do and many others that Stereophile hasnt reviewed.


I agree that a good preamp is more important than the DAC, however they are both important.  Easier to find a good DAC than a good preamp unfortunately.


Steve N.

Empirical Audio

audioengr
3,282 posts
 

Some of the isolation devices/set ups work GREAT and help tremendously. Only a few makers of gear have implemented any of these in their devices as most don’t even offer ethernet connection for the source. Ayre has an optical isolation device right in front of their ethernet input daughter board. It’s a very expensive way to implement ethernet, but it sounds great.

Steve, have you ever heard of this or tried this on your devices?

I use isolation devices, RF and transformers, in my cabling and components, but not optical.

My system has no ground-loops thanks to these.

The concern I would have with optical is maintaining the edge-rates to get low-jitter.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

audioengr
3,282 posts
 
I can speak for Empirical, as most who have his products do. I wish his interchange was capable of RAAT protocol that ROON uses

Me too.  Maybe some day.  In the meantime, Linn Kinsky sounds better IMO.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

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