Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Agear:

My previous reference system was very tube-centric.
Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista, Vac Ref Sig pre-amp with phono, Tenor (hydrid, tubed/SS amp). It was stunning. Musical and magical.

When I got back into it I went straight to an inexpensive tubed system I passed through on my way to tubed reference nirvana many years ago; Cary Audio SLP-98p and BAT VK60SE. It was a magic combo and gave performance way above it's cost, so I went straight to it again. Then the upgrade big bit!

I decided to try some solid state gear I had been intrigued by when I started years ago, just to avoid the tube replacement/rolling neurosis I suffered with my first go round. Krell and Levinson were very solid state sounding, I stayed with my tube gear. But I heard a well put together AR and McIntosh system and began to realize that there is SS equipment that can give me the music. I eventually found Jeff Rowland and decided to "upgrade" to a Capri S2 pre-amp. I looked for a solid state amp to try out and brought several in. I like smaller manufacturers as I think you get better quality and more reasonable prices for what you get; so I heard about and started looking into Merrill Audio's Veritas. As first I was skeptical. But the manufacturer happens to live about 10 minutes from my house and he offered me an audition that utterly blew me away. I read up on it, and that's where I found Guido's review and met him. He is a card carrying Rowland lover, and doesn't hide it. But he was as impressed as I was with the Veritas amps and confirmed that the Vertias amps would work well with a Rowland pre-amp. So the tube gear went and I went all solid state.

I don't remember when, but I picked up the PS Audio PW2 in there somewhere to tide me over until the rest of my system was set, and then I would start a crazy thread and upgrade my DAC. ;)

Eventually I decided that I liked the Rowland pre-amp and wanted to move up the line. Guido coincidentally decided to sell his Criterion reference Rowland pre-amp as he decided to run his Aeris direct to his uber expensive Rowland amps. Obviously the Aeris was impressive if he was willing to not only use it, but give up his prized Criterion...

I bought the Criterion from him.

I auditioned 5 pairs of speakers. Guido had suggested I listen to The Music but it was low on my list. I auditioned Revel Salon II's, Kef 207/2, Sonus Faber Amati Futura, TAD Evolution One and Vienna Acoustics The Music. I am happy to give details of this comparison (its a few pages worth), but I decided that the Kef 207/2 was the best value, The Amati was amazing but didn't rock, i didn't like the TAD, the Salon II's were bright and The Music's were staggeringly good in every conceivable way…

It was at that point that I learned that Guido and I have similar taste; hence our similar systems… I don't know if I would call it imprinting (although I'm not sure what, exactly, that means).

The Veritas amps are stunning. Musical and magical (like my Tenor was). and I think my Criterion is equal to, if not better, then my Vac Ren Sig II pre-amp was.

SO, I'm where I was from an emotional standpoint. My The Music speakers are better then my Talon Firebird Diamond's were. My amps and pre-amp get me to the same place, just with SS gear instead of tubes. My system is musical, and warm, and engaging as it was with tubes. I don't think that tube vs SS really excises anymore. I think there are solid state rigs that sound like they have tubes and there are tube rigs that sound like they are all solid state; the designer tubes the gear to the way he thinks it should sound…

I think thats why I'm having such a difficult time with my choices. Many of you are looking at this as the tube gear versus the solid state gear, or tube and tube and solid state against solid state. I'm just listening for the best unit for my system and my ears.

like I said, I'm just typing is like I hear it….

Wow, that was way longer then i intended. Sorry.

Update:

I spent 3 hours listening to the Aeris and the Big6 today. I started with the Big6 this time.

I am waiting to clarify a driver download question with Steve, and then I will get the OverDrive SE up and running.

I have to say that if some think the Big6 is limited on the top end or has any lack of bottom end because of its tube genetics, they are wrong. The highs are extended, complex, detailed and made the hair on the back of my neck stand straight time and time again. The base is deep, full and rich; and left me wanting for nothing. Yes, the Aeris controls the lower end a bit more tightly and it has a tad more punch, but I would say the Big6 is more natural on the bottom end, more "live". In fact, that sums up the biggest difference between the 2; the Big6 persistently gave me a more "live" presentation. The midrange is clearly warmer then the Aeris; but its not colored, it's just music.

I found vocals to shine most on the Big6, while classical passages/movie soundtracks, and rock and roll sounded better on the Aeris. Jazz and Blues were equally engaging on both, just different.

The Aeris is more accurate, more defined. The soundstage of the Big6 is deeper and wider with the Aeris although not by much, but the Aeris does a better job of giving each performer's defined position in that space. The Aeris seamed to highlight the subtle differences between quiet and loud passages with a better sense of dynamics, but again it was not by much.

After hours of going back and forth I came to the thought that the differences were not in live vs recorded or hifi vs warmth, they were more like listening to the music in different venues; or even the same venues with difference acoustic treatments. A jazz club with 50 patrons, or 200…. Carnagie vs Vienna Opera House…

As with any tube rig, I understand that rolling tubes will allow me to fine tune the sound. I also understand, JaFox, that the UN 99 made a dramatic difference to you; and I sincerely appreciate your generous offer. But I don't think the Big6 needs to be improved upon, it's stunning as it is (at least in my system). Rolling tubes will only change the flavor of the magic.

I could keep either and never even think of listening to another DAC. Anyone who is reading this could buy either and live happily ever after. But I need to deiced which to keep of these 2, and I decided to keep the Aeris….

And here's why…
1) I think the Aeris is still young and will offer even more as time goes on
2) The build quality of the Big6 is excellent, but he Aeris is a tank built by Cartier.
3) I liked the tone that the Aeris imparted a bit more then the Big6 in my system. This is totally personal and has no objective foundation. To me, I fell into the music and forgot I was auditioning gear more frequently with the Aeris.
4) Eventually I will either move my gear to a dedicated room, or treat my room with acoustic treatments to control the reflections a bit better. My room will soften up a bit as a result and I am worried that the Big6 will soften too much.
5) Lampy is a brilliant designer and they now have distribution in the US. I expect them to grow and stabilize. But, and I HATE saying this, I am ever concerned about the stability of a small Polish manufacturer is this crazy economy and long term maintenance is a concern.
6) I like buying US when I can. Call me a gun toting, card carrying patriot. But if I can get equal performance and enjoyment out of 2 options I will try to go US built when I can.

So that's it. Step one is compete. I have made my first decision. I am sure many of you are unhappy with it. I think I have given these 2 enough time to make an educated and reasonable decision. I know some think I need weeks to months to truly compare, but I have neither the patience nor the time to do that. I want to get back to just listening and enjoying.

Now I am down to the Aeris, the OverDrive SE (which is the next showdown), the PS Audio DS and the Aesthetix.

All of these are made in the US.
Rowland, PS Audio and Aesthetix are huge companies and are very stable. Empiircal Audio and Steve have been around for a LONG time and even if his company folds (which I highly doubt will happen), he will be around and available to service his gear for a long long time, right here in the US. In this regard, the OverDrive is the only underdog, sort of.

OK, let the comments and complaints fly.

Matt, with top end gear it almost always comes down to preference and system/room synergy. I fully understand your first decision and thank you again for bringing us along for your ride.

We can get a pretty good sense of the differences in your rig between these two champion dacs.

I can hardly wait to hear your comments on the EA dac!

JaFox - I can't put my finger on it, but I think you disagreed with me. lol.

I understand what you are saying, and I sincerely appreciate your offer. But I am going to stick by my decision. I don't doubt that a better tube would improve/change the sound, but I am skeptical that a tube swap can be transcendental. And I am hesitant to so completely rely on a tube that is difficult to find.

I think rolling tubes, including trying the UN VT-99, will be better suited to someone who has made the decision to invest and focus on the Big6 and get the most out of it. As I said, it is an amazing unit and clearly will make any owner a very happy camper.

Maybe its my system, or my ears, but I never found the Big6 wanting for anything and it held its ground against (even besting) the Aeris on many occasions. I believe that the UN VT-99 will just add to that and make it that much better; maybe even adding another layer of resolution, more taught bass and improved imaging. But even with those sonic improvements (which, again, I don't find missing with the OEM tubes), my decision would not change as it is multi-factorial.

Your offer is sincere and very generous. But I would hate to cost you money in shipping and loss of time with your precious tubes if I know now that my decision would not change with sonic improvements. Especially considering that I found it to be sonically exceptional as it is.

To all, I am in no way saying or implying that the Aeris is a better DAC, or that Lampizator DAC's are not well made nor have reliable/stable customer service. They have, in fact, established a much needed US distribution network and are clearly and deservedly growing each year. They are very well made and support is there and available.

I just found that with my needs and my system, the Aeris is a better match. I'm sorry if my logic and reasoning is unacceptable to you. But as my 6 year old say,"It makes sense to me."

There are admittedly, as I said, additional factors involved with the Lampy that don't exist for the remainder of the DAC's I'm trying out. The rest of the comparisons will pretty much be based on performance and usability alone.

I'm just saying it as it pops in my head. Trying to be honest and forthright about what I hear, how easy the units are to sync and use, their build quality and my opinions related to all random other things about the rig and it's manufacturer….