Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Matt- Thanks for the little update on the DS.. Keep in mind that there are two firmware versions. Both are valid and both sound different from one another. Some folks love the new v.6115 some prefer the older v.5407.

One thing that's cool about the DS is that by using a FPGA instead of a fixed Dac chip ( like an ESS sabre) is that it can be tweaked for SQ improvements with just a download!

Very interesting Matt. Not to be perverse, but my only (repeated) suggestion would be to try the Aeris with Steve's Offramp. You would be surprised by how compromised a Mini can be. A lot of what is coming across with the Aeris (particularly in the upper frequencies) may simply be your transport.

I am also itching to her about the Aesthetix unit. In a perfect world, a head to head with the Lampi, ODSE and Aesthetix would have been spectacular. :(

Either way, a stellar performance Matt. Congrats and enjoy.

Matt, much opinion and suggestion has been given to you on this thread. You have handled it well and been a sport about it. Nothing, and I mean nothing, said here is more important then what Agear just shared.

The difference maker is Steve's Offramp technology in his dac. That IS the difference maker as the dac IS NOT as important as the transport. I went through this exercise and know first hand what the Offramp will do between any other dac and your Mini. It is absolutely transformational. I cannot possibly communicate in strong enough words how much better the Aeris or any SOTA dac will sound with the Offramp in front of it. This is a fact with any computer based transport like the Mini.

I heard the very same differences in sound and would use the very same descriptors you used to describe your preference for the OD dac over the Aeris. It is the Offramp technology that gives this improvement Matt.

It's like comparing two high performance racing cars on the speed track and choosing one car over the other because one was feed jet fuel and the other low octane fuel. This analogy perfectly summarizes the real situation here. The two cars were not really compared.....the two fuels were!

You have not heard the Lampi or Aeris yet. You have not. Ya, these are very direct and strong words from me as I know first hand the truth of it and so want you to experience it yourself.

The offramp must be paired with the Dynamo power supply for what I shared to be true.

This road is not on the same beaten path as tube tweaks, cabling, etc...no it is the road less traveled and the pathway to computer based audio enlightenment.

Thankyou Matt for the up-date, However, I had a feeling the ODSE would fair in the running, and I agree, Steve does deserve an aplaud for his work,BTW- It appears we may have similiar tast with sound given your descriptions of your last up-date, more than ever, I have great interest with your thread matt, Happy Listening.

I understand that the Off Ramp has the capacity to improve the USB output of my Mini. To me, it is illogical to need to add a $3k accessory plus another $1k for a good cable plus power cable costs just to "improve" a $10k DAC to sound like the $7k ODSE sounds now (with the Off Ramp built into it). Maybe the Aeris/Offramp would sound better then the ODSE, maybe not. I'm not willing to pay that much more at this time.

I will continue to burn in the DS and give it a fair chance. Steve, having faith in his equipment, has generously offered to let me hold onto the ODSE until the final shootout next Wed.

I'll keep you posted.