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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
1graber2's avatar
1graber2
303 posts
 
In the early 2000s to 2007 or so, SimAudio was still making high end CDPs that could cull every detail out of a paltry 16/44 CD. I bought some Sim gear around that time, all quality. I mean, they still offer a 20 year warranty. NOBODY else does that TMK.

e.g. the Sim SuperNova CDP, still relevant after all these years. 
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

SimAudio was still making high end CDPs that could cull every detail out of a paltry 16/44 CD.

This was an extremely good sounding SimAudio cdp, that used R2R ladder dacs and had a separate power supply, hard to get anything today that can do Redbook that well.

http://img.canuckaudiomart.com/uploads/large/414643-simaudio_moon_eclipse_cd_mint.jpg

SIMAUDIO MOON ECLIPSE

4 x PCM1704-K dacs   DF1704 – PMD100  Philips CD-Pro 2 (VAU1254)


Cheers George




ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
I'm very familiar with that cup and to my ear, it was like most of the Sim Audio gear.  It's fatiguing to me as well as a few others I'm close with.  It doesn't matter what type of dac design George.  There are good and bad on all sides and just because you say that it is hard to get anything better for Redbook today, is just a personal choice.  You feel it is and that's great and I'm happy for you.  To many of us it's not even close.  

disclaimer:  I've owned both types of dac architecture and loved them both at the time I've owned them.  
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
It’s fatiguing to me as well as a few others I’m close with. It doesn’t matter what type of dac design George.

I believe I was responding to 1graber2, unless I’m mistaken, but then anything can get some bristling, like they have a "word" trigger, R2R perhaps???
And to describe the SIMAUDIO MOON ECLIPSE as fatiguing is ......well? All I can say is go and have another listen.

Cheers George
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
Maybe it was the rest of the system George, but that's what I heard each time I've heard teh Simaudio.  If I have a chance to listen again, I will as long as it's not with similar gear that I've heard it with already. I've never said never about any company as they can always change sound signature.  
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