Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Getting the most from CDs & break-in
I'm very interested in the review of DACs with a focus on Redbook CD. To me, the performance is more important than the medium and for a variety of works, my favorites (classical, opera, jazz) are often recorded in the 1960's, 50's, or even 40's, so getting the most out of them is my top priority.

I'm using the PSA PWD-II and am curious about the DirectStream, as well as the other DACs, since posts frequently comment on how much more information the DS retrieves from CDs than the PWD.

One comment. The PSA DACs (I had the MK-I and upgraded to the MK-II) need a very long break-in time. When I got the PWD, I was ready to return it after too weeks (thin bass, hard treble). When I called my vendor, he asked me to give it a couple more weeks and that after the first two weeks, the sound is at its nadir. Shortly after that, the DAC steadily improved and ended up sounding great. I don't know about the DirectStream, but it may need similarly long break-in period.

Thanks much for the shoot-out, I'm looking forward to your impressions.

Hi Matt,

I'd suggest using the IsoTek burn-in CD. You can buy it and rip it to your Mac to use for faster break-in of any audio component in the chain.

BTW, did you receive my PM?

Best wishes,
Alex Peychev
APL Hi-Fi

'OK, let the criticism begin!!! lol....'

I muck around with, listen to, and have heard a lot of DAC's.

There is no right or wrong, simply what suits you and your system best.

My favourite DAC (at the moment - things change fast in the DAC area) is a hand build DAC called a Killer. But it is very musical and that is not everyone's preference - some are in my camp - others prefer say the extremely clear, clean, and pure Phasure which I find a bit bland.

A DAC that impressed me recently was the PS Audio - it blew my Chord out of the water - but it was a lot more expensive so that's not an earth shattering revelation - you would hope you get something for the extra dosh. It is going to be upgraded to the Direct Stream soon and we will be having a GTG to see how it fares against some of my other DAC's such as the Playback Designs and Killer.

Always a lot of fun.

Anyway by checking them out and posting about it you are doing the right thing. Keep up the good work.

Thanks
Bill

Jafox,

Calling the Sylvania VT-99 trash is really crazy, unless your system has to have one particular tube to shine. I settled on the National Union VT-99 in combination with the staggered Tung-Sol rectifier because the overall sound had better extension and treble. But to say the Sylvania is flat and distant is super surprising, but that very well be the case in your system. In mine the Sylvania sounds great, a bit more chill but still damn fine and 3D sounding. The Tung-Sol VT-99 has a more 3D/holographic presentation and just as extended than the Nationals in my system, but is a bit lean in the mid-range. To my ears, all the VT-99's I tried were pretty darn good in the Big Six, none of them were "trash". The rectifiers make a contribution to the sound as well so Matt should try that too.

Goes to show you how differently we all hear...

Matt,

Sounds like the Big Six sounds more effortless at this point than the Aeris. Though constriction is often times cured with further break-in. The Big Six needed lots of time to open up, at least in my system. But it sounded "natural" right off the bat.

Interesting results so far, keep it coming...

Is the heavyweight champion Empirical DAC next in line?