King of the Non oversampling DAC's? Lavry /Kondo ?

Rockitman, specs are specs. sometimes they matter, often they don't. BADA's a good DAC, but i wouldn't necessarily rule out the 2 (as well as other highly regarded non oversampling DACs) simply because they don't handle 24/192.

& as with Rademaker, i'm also interested in Sksos1's view of Lavry Gold vs. Kondo DAC, & Lavry Gold vs. analog.

More and more source material is coming out at higher sampling frequencies than 24/96. Why would you want to spend that much money on a DAC that can't playback (properly) higher sampling frequencies ? To each there own. As far as a comparo wiht a good analog rig ? Don't bother. Analog will win.

boils down to whether 24/96 format (&/or higher sampling) will become mainstream (i hv my doubts considering it's all abt convenience these days).

no doubt some "audiophile labels" will attempt to remaster popular audiophile recordings in 24/96+ formats (until a new format emerges), but... i'd rather hv a music system that will play most recordings well vs. a hifi system that will only play a handful of "approved" recordings exceptionally well.

I hear what you are saying 11flat6. I have been ripping DVD Audio discs to hi-rez wavs. Most have been 24/96. Some have said the rez was 24/192 on the label(Chicago II) only to find out using a DVD ripper that the MLP files were only 24/96. The DVD Audio Eagles Hotel California is 24/192 and is pretty much my reference standard for the best in digital audio sound from a rock music standpoint.
Reference recordings HRx is 24/176.4 kHz. I wouldn't be surpised if HDtracks.com get more digital source material that samples higher than 96. One thing for sure, sampling rate does matter. 192kHz sounds better and more natural than 96kHz. Cheers !

"One thing for sure, sampling rate does matter. 192kHz sounds better and more natural than 96kHz."

agree, but only if raw files were mastered at higher bit & sampling rates (many hi-rez recordings are mastered at 16/44kHz & simply "upsampled" to higher rates, then marketed/sold to audiophiles. such tracks are often only marginally better than redbook versions. this is mostly "smoke & mirrors" since most DACs upsample anyway).

Reference Recordings are great for showing off the technical capabilities of digital technology (as well as ones music system), but they're not a mainstream record co., & i get bored listening to their somewhat eclectic "showcase recordings" over & over).

anyway, i think we are digressing fm Rademaker's orig. topic.

p.s. Lavry Gold does handle 24/96kHz.