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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
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
david_ten2,138 posts
@ everyone Any recommendations for an upper tier DAC with a very well implemented volume control? I’m looking for DAC first components (and not Preamps with a DAC module...if that makes sense...). Thanks.
I believe they still do it in their flagship model dacs or cdp. either by user programming or physical links or trimpots.
But Wadia, Mark Levinson and the Bricasti M1 used digital domain remote volume controls, but they also had the ability to set the max output gain of the analogue output buffer, so that you used the digital domain volume at or near full output, so there was no chance of "bit stripping" (lowering resolution 16bit 14bit 12bit the lower you go)
This is the perfect dac /cdp volume control.

Cheers George
jriggy's avatar
jriggy
564 posts
 
@audiolabyrinth
Not to take away an answer from ct but I think it’s “The Memory Player”, the one with the lil elephant logo.
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
@ jriggy, Thankyou,  I have a ps audio direct stream memory player transport and separate dac, are you saying the little lighted power buttons on both componet's look like elephant trunks?, lol, how ever,  I still have not got a confirmation of my question's.
snopro
392 posts
 
@audiolabyrinth
The Memory Player is designed by Mark Porzilli. The company is Laufer Teknik it is not a PS Audio product.

Hope that clears things up.
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
@ snopro, Thankyou for the clarification,  that is odd that two companies have a product called memory player,  I'm interested in the laufer Teknik, can anyone elaborate on the company,  the location?, are they sold in USA?, is there service support in the U.S.?, etc....
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