Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Merrill Veritas have no transformer-coupled inputs nor outputs. Rowland Criterion linestage is coupled on all balanced inputs and outputs. Aeris has transformer coupling on SPDIF inputs, and on balanced outputs. It would be indeed interesting to gage the effect of FD between Criterion and Veritas, between Aeris directly into Veritas, and between OD directly into Veritas.

G.

Neurotic you say?!?!?

I resemble that remark!

Yes, you are close to the pinnacle. It is at the core of audiophilia. Why do you think they're so many sycophants in the pews....

Steve, that's my next listening session.

Guido, I tried FD directly between ODSE and Veritas and preferred the Criterion in between.

Now to try FD between ODSE and Criterion and FD between Criterion and Veritas. With all the Rowland gear being transformer coupled, I am thinking it will make the biggest difference (for better or worse) between the pre and amp. I will also try the FD between Aeris and Veritas direct, although with the transformer coupling in the Aeris there may be incompatibilities.

Finally, I will try the ODSE to Criterion to Veritas as I have been, but add in the Short Block (which, from what I understand, basically divides the small dc USB power from the line which helps to improve sound. Makes sense, let's see....

The Aeris has about 570 hours on it by days end. That means just 6 more days and it will have over 700 hours on it. Then I can run the real head to head and get poor Steve's gear back to him so he can pass it on to another lucky audition. Remember, even if I decide on Steve's ODSE I need to send this one back and he builds me a brand new one.

A few days later, the DirectStream will have its 500 hours on it.....

On a side note, I have to say I am stunned no one has scooped up my Rowland Capri S2 pre-amp with PC1 power supply I have for sale. I used it until the Criterion came in. It is a stunning pre-amp and is a steal for the price I am asking. I can't think of a pre-amp for close to its money that can give the music the way the S2/pc1 can; it's that good!

If anyone knows of someone looking for a killer reasonably priced pre-amp, send them my way. I want it to go to a good home!

"Finally, I will try the ODSE to Criterion to Veritas as I have been, but add in the Short Block (which, from what I understand, basically divides the small dc USB power from the line which helps to improve sound."

The SB should always be used with the Overdrive. It filters out the common-mode noise from the computer and ground-loops, improving SQ. The side effect of this filtering is that the 5V power in the USB cable is compromised. Rather than selling something that compromises USB power, I just cut the power wire and limit the use of the SB to products that do not use the power in the USB cable like the Overdrive. Because a high inductance is inserted in the ground wire between computer and DAC, it is important to plug the DAC and the computer into the same AC outlet. Using some power conditioners that add even more inductance in the earth ground can be problematic. They usually don't help with digital power anyway. A solution like the Plasmatron from VHaudio.com makes more sense and improves SQ significantly for digital.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio