Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

I second both the Ayre & Wavelength recommendations.

Before I owned my current Wavelength Crimson, I owned the Wavelength Brick Silver Edition. Knowing that Gordon Rankin of Wavelength provided his Asynchronous expertise for the QB-9, I auditioned one against my Brick Silver. The comparison results favored the Brick Silver, but only ever so slightly....

Good luck hunting....I look forward to hearing about your results and your final purchase decision.

@ Mattnshilp, Hi, I would find a way to audition, in a store or in your system the Aesthetix Pandora signature before you made a regretfull, decision here, unless you just like dacs, The Romulas signature, all in one box solution with analog volume control is what I will be going with, this unit is hailed by all to better any pre-amp running direct to amps, I hope you can tell us here your impressions of the Aesthetix, cheers.

An in store audition is not that helpful to me; I need the unit in my room to directly compare... There are so may factors in good performance; the room is different, amps, pre-amps, cables, AC.....

I think there is a NJ dealer for Aesthetix. I'll call. I dont' want to overdo it on the shootout though. I typically find that comparing more then 3 units at a time is fatiguing and difficult. With the Aesthetix it would be 6. It may need to be over a few days, and time is hard for me to come by.

Hgeifman & Mrmb: I would love to add the Wavelength and Ayre. I might have a part 2 to the shootout if I feel that none of my current offerings get me where I want to be (which I would be surprised with).

My issue is, to be honest, that getting these units into MY house requires that I either find a dealer or friend willing to lend me the unit, pay in full for a timed audition (with full refund minus shipping), or buy the unit outright...

I want to be honest to the dealers and stores that are offering me the loan or paid audition as this is a service that is getting less and less common and these are the dealers and stores that need our support to sustain the customer service we need to enjoy and grow this wonderful hobby. I have 2 manufacturers (PS Audio and Steve at Empirical Audio, who is a hell of a designer and great guy) that are being generous enough to offer me a money back audition period to try out their gear; they need to be commended for this service and I feel obligated to limit my selections to give their equipment the time and consideration it deserves. The same is said of USA Tube Audio of Scottsdale, AZ who has very generously offered me a 15 day trial period for the Accustic Arts DAC. And finally, Thomas of New York Sound and Vision is arranging the Jeff Rowland Aeris audition for me with no financial outlay required; just wow! All of them deserve recognition!

I think the Aesthetix and Wavelength are probably more up my alley then the Ayre would be, but I have heard great things about all 3! If I can find a friend who has one to lend me, I will pursue it.

This thread has exceeded my hopes!!!!

Thanks guys!!

@ Mattnshilp, I enjoy your thread here, Keep me posted, not all of us are able to do what you are doing, getting to audition all these digital products, you have my close attention, cheers.