Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Grannyring - Tya. Too bad I'm not that lucky with my lottery tickets!

Agear - Thats good to know that Lampy has a solid tech in my area if I ever wander down the Lampy path in the future. Dac's, by definition, pretty much have expiration dates as tech continues to pulse forward.

Kernelbob - I love it. And you were right. But I know that I know very little, and prove it every day!!! And my kids remind me of this constantly!

AudioLabyrinth - I have every intention of trying each DAC with volume controls direct to the amps. Steve from EA was generous enough to send me his FInal Drive magic boxes that supposedly make running these DAC's direct a true revelation. Trust me, I'd love to re-acquire the big $$$$$ I put into my pre-amp. But for now, the Criterion does things that no other pre-amp has ever shown me, and I'm not rushing to get rid of it.

Mattnshilp, I appreciate the effort that you are putting into these comparisons and for your time in sharing your findings with us. Regarding the final paragraph of your last post about the Lampy having an inferior USB port that requires an external USB converter, I would like to mention that the Rowland has a similar limitation in its design. It has been reported on this forum that the Rowland design team themselves has admitted that the Aeris sounds its best through the SPDIF inputs and not via USB. Their USB implementation is also limited to a high of 96kHz sampling frequency with the SPDIF inputs supporting up to 192kHz. Just wanted to point that out if it may impact your decision. I ruled out the Aeris DAC due to that 96kHz limitation via USB as well as its lack of support for DSD file playback, but of course everyone has differing needs and priorities. I also have a fondness for Rowland gear as I currently own their model 625 power amp which I find superb! Best of luck as you continue the evaluation process, and thanks again for taking the time to share your results.

Bill_K - I agree. I was responding to someone else's comment that the Lampy would sound its best with an external USB to spdif converter. The same can, I'm sure, be said for the Aeris and DS DAC's. The only DAC with a reliably superior USB input is the AE OverDrive SE.

That said, I can not overstate how freakin good both the Aeris and Big6 are fed through the USB!!!!

I am just saying that I don't want to go down the external USB/spdif converter road right now.

Mattnshilp, I've mentioned the BMC PureDac earlier. You should add it to your list. It is very cheap at $1790 retail. I know of a man who bought one for use in his bedroom system and now uses it in his main system in place of the expensive dCS multiple box dac.

TBG - my room partner and I used my Overdrive in one system and the BMC in another system in or RMAF room last year. BMC is good at that price point, but not in the same league.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio