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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
 


luisma31 despite of the possible flaws ladder dacs might have I personally prefer these over DS. I totally agree with science. OMG I’m listening to an almost 1st pressing original house of the holy I got from Discogs

Get the original 1988 uncompressed version they are the least compressed, I buy them used on eBay for a couple of dollars each. (After doing many a/b’s I will not stream or download anymore)
http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/view/177624
http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/view/128355
http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/view/73353
http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/view/76394

Stay away from the later re-issues now for streaming or downloading they are far more compressed, probably to save space?
http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/view/77643
http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/view/77644
http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/view/105879
http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/view/77643

R2R dacs really show up the differences in the compression version issues.

Cheers George



georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
Ooops this last one in the 1988 uncompressed list, is 2014 issue and should be in the compressed list below.  
http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/view/76394 
luisma31
516 posts
 
Thank you George, I got a 1973 Japanese pressing, near mint, $44, outstanding sonics, will check your links later, appreciate it
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

luisma31

Thank you George, I got a 1973 Japanese pressing, near mint, $44, outstanding sonics, will check your links later, appreciate it



Yes all the 73’s and 80’s vinyls, are the same on DRTB all from the master without a doubt, untouched like the 80’s CD’s

All the 73 pressing very good
http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/view/86681

Don’t advise anyone go near the 2014 re-issue vinyl, it’s been compressed like the CD’s.
http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/view/76673

Cheers George
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
I've heard a lot of the top DAC's and some were chips and some were ladder types.  Every top designer I've spoken with have played with both and feel that the newer chips, if implemented properly will perform better than the ladder types.  

That said some of my favorite DAC's do use ladder type and some use traditional DAC chips.  When folks make blanket statements as you do and probably always will, you lose credibility.  There are multiple ways to skin a cat and that's reality especially when the chips are getting better and better.  

#respectothers
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