Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

My prototype DAC update.  Spoke with Sam today.  He has the cabinet in for the power supply and is ordering the StealthCaps.  He's going to extract the DAC from my Memory player in two weeks and then rebuild it and make a lot of changes.  I can't wait to get it back and burned in. Sounds like it will be a full month before that will happen, but so far this is such a great DAC. I was told the StealthCaps will take it to another level adn I know he's upgrading the tubes. By putting the power supply in it's own fully shielded box, he will be able to do something special with the power feeding the tubes too.  Digital is going through a major transition period right now.  I think we are seeing better quality at lower costs.  

Thanks Astrostar. I have heard the Aries Cerat are awesome. I have not heard one. I would love to. I would agree with your assessment of the dacs you listed. You have a good ear and we hear similarly. 

Lordcloud- I have heard the older Rockna but not the newer ones. Getting a hold of some of the bigger European brands for an in home audition is SO hard. If you can make it happen I would love the opportunity. 

I’m trying to get an Innuos Statement and a new Antipodes CX/EX server in for audition. I’ve heard great things about both. So far, nothing comes close to my Memory Player. 

@mattnshilp , thread followers, and thread contributors:  I'm experiencing some 'curious' results and would like your thoughts and opinions.

This thread is primarily about impact / results when a DAC is changed.

I'm finding that changes to my system are bringing more than significant results while keeping, what would be considered a 'basic' DAC, by the metrics applied in this thread, static. 

Anyways, it's making me question the logic of DAC changes in 'static systems' vs a 'static DAC' in a 'dynamic system.'

Hope I'm making myself clear.  Thanks.

David - no sane person (of which I am not one) would constantly change dacs like I have. But this thread discusses the only part of a hi end system whose technology actually affects a discernible change in advancement within a brief time. Thus, in my not normal opinion, the digital front end does need to be updated more regularly then anything else in the system.

That being said, even my system has been relatively static from a digital front end for quite some time. The Light Harmonic Davinci 2 and Memory Player combo is absolutely stunning. And it is VERY hard to coordinate in home auditions of any super expensive piece of equipment that could potentially dethrone one of my digital components.

So, yes David. For most cases keeping your core equipment static and fine tuning is the way to go. But that’s not what this particular thread is about. I am trying as much as I can to offer a comparison to everyone so they can pick what’s best for their system. Posts like AstroStar59 are ENORMOUSLY beneficial in that they offer even more experience with equipment I may have not heard. If others post opinions of equipment I have both heard and not heard, it allows me to comment intelligently as I have a reference upon which to judge their listening style since I know some of the equipment. 

Conside this thread a dac resource.

If you are looking for a more general audiophile resource, please subscribe to my YouTube channel: The Audiophile OCD

https://youtu.be/JAZdIBxycKE

Wow, I just realized I'm on my 5th DAC since this thread started. I rarely upgrade that often.  Never had until I met Matt...thanks a lot.  ;)....