Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

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. 

Matt,
Yes, I'll get a copy of them to Mike.  He raved about the new gear and I can't wait to hear it.

My DAC started off as an Audio Note Kit.  At the time it was their highest, a 4.1LE.

AD1865 R2R chipAudio Note C core output transformersAudio Note copper foil capacitorsBlack Gate electrolytic caps 
I built it up and used it unchanged for about 1 year.  Then I read about possible mods and I started experimenting.  Over the last 3-4 years, I've changed a lot:
I've upgraded the output and I/V transformers to those in an Audio Note (finished product) DAC5 Special.  The power supply side is now lifted from an Audio Note M8 preamp.  I upgraded the capacitors to Jensen silver foil and now there are Black Gate caps in every possible location
And the most recent mod is really cool.  Since this is a tube DAC, I turn it off every night.  The new mod powers the digital board even when the power is switched off.  So the digital board is always powered.  I did this back in July.   When the DAC is on the power light is red - when it is "off" the power light switches to amber.

I did each of these mods at different times and I waited a few months to make sure I liked the results. 

It started at about $3,800 and now I'm probably close to $10k after all the mods.  When I brought it to Mike's, we both thought it held up well against his EMM DA2. 

When I was in high school I remember reading an article in Road & Track about a guy in Germany that modded an early 80s VW Rabbit with Porsche suspension parts and engine from a 928S.  Then he'd drive around on the autobahn and mess with people in his "Rabbit".  If feel like this is what I have now.  It is just an ugly black box, but it sure does sound great.
I'll bring it next time I come over to Mike's...
Dave

Accurate IS musical.

My $0.02, try the Nagra transport DAC combo with their own power supply. C'est Suisse et c'est tres tres precis.

Another example from analog, a two track half inch Studer A80 running Agfa 468 is flat from 20 to 20 Khz and is extremely musical. Extremely.

Chowkwan- good analog reel to reel is awesome! I’ve heard it many times. 

I’ve heard Nagra and always liked it. It’s just hard to get a hold of to audition in house. 

@chowkwan

I agree on most points. The Nagra is nice, but I prefer others with similar tech.

The new Marantz SA-KI Ruby is going to be the best bang for the buck.