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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
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Mattnshilp - I would be game in sending you an Off-Ramp5 and Dynamo power supply to use with the Lampi to compare with the Overdrive DAC alone. Its about $2.5K worth of stuff, so I would need another refundable deposit, but at least the Lampi would have a running chance. This is what Grannyring is proposing.

"just when I though it could not possibly sound any better"
-my wife

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,602 posts
 
I have to tell you other converters may not make a huge difference, but the OR5 and Dynamo will take the Lampi to another level with a computer....any computer.

I would not believe it if not for my recent experience. I had an Apple 2009 mini with Mojo Audio power supply, large SSD drive, all the software mods, and the improvement was the single biggest audio upgrade I had ever made.

Perhaps your L6 will not have the same result, but you must try it because if history repeats itself here, you will wear an even bigger smile.

Have fun.
ozzy's avatar
ozzy
7,583 posts
 
I'm interested as to how the PS DirectStream stacks up.
shawbros3
23 posts
 
Grannyring,

I sold my L4/G4 to my friend and he ended up selling the OffRamp 4, said he preferred going straight through the USB. He uses a modded Mac Mini and Mojo power supply.

I will let him know of your findings with the Offramp 5/Dynamo, which must be in another world compared to the OR4 if it was the single biggest audio upgrade of your life. It would be a win win situation if Steve would offer him a home demo with a refundable deposit.

Happy listening....
shawbros3
23 posts
 
Steve,

Have you heard the Big Six before, or better yet have you heard it in your system? I have heard both, and your OR5 at last year's Newport and RMAF shows. The sound was solid and I enjoyed the pairing with Vapor, but it was driven from a tube amp which Matt doesn't have. I think the Lamp DAC injected some life into his system, which is evident in his initial feelings towards the Big Six.

If you have heard the Big Six, then okay I can understand you only giving the Lamp a running chance if used with the OR5 in light of Grannyring's experience with the same Mac Mini source. If Matt used the Antipodes server or something similar then that USB input might be "good" enough.

But if you haven't tried the Big Six in your system, then you could be surprised by what Matt reports back after comparing the two, so don't count the Big Six out until the count of 10.

Good luck Matt, you have a real battle ahead of you.
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