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Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Hi All.

Putting together a reference level system.
My Source is predominantly standard 16/44 played from a MacMini using iTunes and Amarra. Some of my music is purchased from iTunes and the rest is ripped from standard CD's.
For my tastes in music, my high def catalogues are still limited; so Redbook 16/44 will be my primary source for quite some time.

I'm not spending DCS or MSB money. But $15-20k retail is not out of the question.

Upsampling vs non-upsampling?
USB input vs SPDIF?

All opinions welcome.

And I know I need to hear them, but getting these ultra $$$ DAC's into your house for an audition ain't easy.

Looking for musical, emotional, engaging, accurate , with great dimension. Not looking for analytical and sterile.
mattnshilp
ctsooner's avatar
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
One of the best posts in this whole thread is Mrmb's. At this price point, most designs are or should be price no object in regards to tubes. If tubes aren't going to be available, then what will the owner do when their magic tube is done?

I can't wait for John to get the Aesthetix in and burned in (but not until after he delivers my new Vandy Treo's and Basis TT ;) ), lol.

It will be interesting to see how it stacks up in Matt's system/room vs the other DAC's. I've found that the Aesthetix gear is highly musical with one of the best midranges in the industry. They seem to understand live music and not just 'high end audio'.
joecasey
484 posts
 
06-22-14: Kernelbob
@Jwm, My PSA PWD-MkII took a month to fully break-in. Now, I wasn't feeding it digital input 24/7, but it was powered on for the duration. After two weeks it was at its nadir. At the end of a month it had blossomed and pretty much reached it's performance plateau. So that's around 720 hours. Had it maxed out at the two week point, I would have sent it back. My ARC REF-3 also took a month to settle in.
That's interesting. Not to be argumentative, when I had PSA PWD-MkII, I heard no noticeable changes after ~50 hours.

In general, I agree with Grannying ... my system sounds different depending on my mood, alertness ...
erikminer
433 posts
 
I'm dying for an update!
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Erik, Matt indicated that he would be away until Wednesday... Updates might need to wait for a couple more days. G.
erikminer
433 posts
 
Thanks.. Must have missed that
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