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Worlds best DAC

Went to CES this year to work on my transition to high Rez digital. I've heard many of the highly regarded players in my room or in others systems in the past. I'm actually very happy with my current cd based sound. As I listened to various DACS playing CD then high Rez, I was not bowled over. High rez was better, but only slightly so. The best (and most different) sound I heard happened to have one similarity. They were 2 non oversampling DACS with tube analog stages(Zanden and Ypsilon). These were without question the most natural sounding digital systems I heard at the show. They made CDsound miles ahead of high Rez. What gives?

PS: I understand the limitations of show auditions.
bflowers
lloydelee21
1,202 posts
 
Got it! ;)
dvavc
81 posts
 
So, what about Lampizator vs. NOS-1. Have anybody A-B them yet? Agear, any spacfic reason why you decided on Lampizator vs. NOS-1?
agear
1,362 posts
 
Dvavc, it was a decision based mostly on intuition. I know it's a sacrilegious thing for an audiophile to admit that, but it's true. I am at heart an "analog guy," and the L7 is, by all reports, one of the closest analogs of analog in the digital domain.

I am also lazy. In my 20s, I loved playing IT boy and fiddling. Now, with young kids and a busy life, I have zero interest. If you spend any amount of time on the NOS-1 threads, you will know what I mean by this disinclination.

The shootout in Atlanta has not materialized. It still might, but frankly, at this point, I have little desire to attend.

On a side note,I am actively researching turntables, and am looking at snagging a Triangle table as well to round out and complete my front end. I know this is contradictory in light of my comments about the Phasure, but I am continually drawn to the sound of vinyl. It was ironically my primary source as a young kid and preteen, and I am looking to return to my musical roots.
dvavc
81 posts
 
Agear, Have you heard it by yourself? I'm also mostly listen to LP's, but inconvenience of flipping it every 15 minutes), shortage of available records and thereof price of some of them vs. convenience and availability (even for free;~) from internet) of digital domain, makes me keep searching for some miracle DAC. I've read threads (for whatever they worth) about how analog L-7 is, but if i could of bring it home and a-b it to my Remyo...) Built quality vs. price also makes me wonder ).
agear
1,362 posts
 
Dvavc, I will let you know in about 2-3 months when I get it. I agree about LPs, but I would like to own both to allow access to music I enjoy. I too have been scratching around for a "miracle dac" as you say. We will see. I was eyeballing the Reiymo CDP a few years back. Fairly Gucci stuff. I cannot speak to the build quality of the big7. Are you in the US?
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