Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Lol. I was actually going to break out the Final Drives today but Merrill came over.

With the Aeris 400h away from ready and the DirectStream also 2 weeks minimum from ready (after it arrives Tuesday), the next thing up is a comparison of DAC direct to amps vs using the Final Drives.

Watch for the next UPDATE.

Thanks for the room treatment suggestions. I have to see what the boss will approve, if anything.

I love reading this thread! So much fun to read everyday. I don't want to miss anything.

Thanks for doing such a good job Matt.

Hi Matt, I talked to steve N. over this week, The final drives are a great accomplishment by steve, However, though you can use them on the active pre-amps, steve said you can also use the final drives on the dacs, or cd-players that have a volume control on them, I would bet you money, If you put the final drives on the Aeris, or ODSE, or any of the dacs that you have that has a volume control versus, just your prized Roland active pre-amp by its self, you would likly sale the Pre-amp!, LOL!, after I talked to steve, I am interested in his final drives to use with source componets direct to amps, being the final drives are a true Balanced circuit,and passive, not needing any power from the wall, and the fact they break the ground plane, It's a win-win situation!

Very nice. The Meitner and PSAudio should be an interesting comparison....

I do not believe it is possible to test all the greatest dacs here, The conclusion would take forever for a outcome, Matt is doing fine with what he is testing, which to me, is more than enough dacs, LOL!