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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
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Matt,
Congratulations on the LampizatOr DAC, it gets noticeably better as the hours of use accumulate. The other challenger DACs have quite a task ahead of them. The Aesthetix Romulus would be an interesting comparison The LampizatOr's strength is it simply reproduces music realistically.
Charles, .
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
Bought the Big6 pre-owned. It has about 600-800 hours on it from what I understand. Currently listening to the stock tubes, but I got some to roll into as well. It's stunning in its stock form, so I can't wait to hear what it can do with other tubes.

I'm dying to hear how the Solid State contenders stack up.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,648 posts
 
Great thread! Ya, the Romulus Signature or Pandora Signature is a must. Not sure if it is up to the Lampi, but very, very good. I had a Lampi 4 and like the Romulus more, but your Lampi is several models above!
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,648 posts
 
The Empirical Audio dac will be hard to beat and the comparison to the Lampi 6 will be interesting. If using a computer transport it would be best to have an Offramp 5 in front of the Lampi. The AE Offramp takes the Lampi to another level when using it with a computer.
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
Understood.

I already decided that if I end up choosing anything other then the OverDrive SE (and I have high hopes for that particular unit because it is actually designed and built for exactly what I need, computer audio files), then I owe it to myself to try out either the Berkeley or Offramp USB to spdif converter.
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