2. digital
  3. 1398132150

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
keithr
1,306 posts
 
Any word on a TotalDac demo? You've been attempting to arrange one it seems forever.


ctsooner's avatar
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
So excited to get the Syncrho Mesh back.  Thanks for the upgrade Steve!!  Matt has been swamped at work the last few months.  I don't think the TotalDac is even there yet.  I know that he's getting to play with the Elrod and Enklein power cords though.  
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
Keithr- I can do the TotalDAC demo whenever I want. But I don’t want to start it until I know I can give it the time it deserves. And work has been crazy. It will come in time. I promise. 
dpetr
28 posts
 
Matt - This is Dave - your neighbor Mike's friend....
A few weeks ago you asked for recommendations for 5 songs used to test DACs - here are 6 that I use....
#1   Four Until Late (Cream - Those Were The Days)#2   Rock My Plimsoul (Jeff Beck - Truth)#3   All Of You (Bill Evans - Solar)#4   Who Knows - (Jimi Hendrix - Band of Gypsys)#5   Maggot Brain - (Funkadelic - Maggot Brain)
#6   Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major - (Janos Starker - Suites for Solo Cello)

Every cellist plays that last one, but no one plays it like Starker did...And ignore the first 30 seconds of #5.
Maybe not to your taste, but I'm listening for something specific in each of these songs.  I'm using a heavily modded Audio Note DAC.
Dave
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
Hey Dave. Mikes spoken highly of your system!!!

Could you throw your favorites on a CD or thumb drive and send to Mike? That’d be awesome!

You HAVE to hear his Pipedreams with the new Merrill 118 monoblocks and Christine pre-amp!!! Merrill and I spent 2 hours fine tuning his speaker position and his crossover adjustments. It was transformational!!! With the 118 amps, his room is exceptional!!! Like sit and listen all day long exceptional!!

Glad to meet you and look forward to your input. Please describe your DAC and mod’s. 
More to discover