Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Matt- Just an FYI there is new firmware for the DS that was just released yesterday. Your unit is pretty new and could already have it. Just check the screen (push the little gear in the upper left corner) the newest firmware is 6115, the older is 5417 .. Nice improvement with the new firmware.

Thank you Matt for the thoughtful update.

As I suspected, after the 400 or 450 hours mark, Aeris would start a gradual normalization of treble artifacts. I still expect some fluctuations throughout the audible bandwidth for a while. My experience with Aeris, as well as other Rowland components is that they are late bloomers... They continue to break-in and bloom at least until the 1200 hours mark. At 700 to 800 hours, they give a semi-reasonable idea of their capabilities, but they still do not yield their best.

BTW, I have confirmation from the Rowland factory that Aeris delivers its best performance through its SPDIF inputs, which are transformer-coupled for optimizing common mode noise rejection, galvanic isolation, and impedance stability... This will be particularly effective if Eris is fed from a transformer-coupled source. It is interesting to note that Rowland feeds Aeris mostly through the Bryston BDP-2 server/player, which has implemented transformer coupling on its SPDIF and XLR outputs.

No, I am not using the Bryston player in my system yet... I am a dinosaur, and am still using the Esoteric X-01 as a source.

G.

Ok guys....1000 hours and over of needed break in? I am a audiofool of huge proportions and understand and buy into the whole notion of break in.

But when we start talking 1200 hours I guess I am not worthy of the full Aphile title. That is simply beyond my experience and understanding. 1200 hours! Yikes! If said piece really takes that long, count me out. I don't think it changes after 400-500 at most, but have at it.

If one listens to their system 2 hours daily on average, then it would take the better part of two years before one actually hears what said player is capable of. Ha!

Better ask for a two year trial period from your local high end retailer. I trust one hears what the unit will ultimately sound like after 500 hours at most. Anything after that is due to changes in mental state, one's physical fluctuations, humidly, lack of humidity, time of day, type of food just consumed, adult beverage consumed, position in listening chair, ear wax level and on and on. No kidding guys. My system, as is, sounds different day to day due to factors beyond break in.

If you have listened enough days to a unit with 500 hours, rest assured you have indeed heard the unit for what it is. That same unit will indeed sound different, in your same system, next year on any particular day for a whole host of reasons both understood and not understood...... but no longer because of break in.

Ok, let the Aphile community roast me know.

I was so nervous about the pending Aphile onslaught that I made a mistake. Sorry. Meant to type "roast me now, not know" .