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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
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Hi Matt, very nice that your MacMini already on SSD. Friend of mine made comparison in last couple of days between hard drive (do not remember brand) and Samsung 840 EVO 1TB SSD... He asserted that the SSD delivered harmonically denser images... I believe he may be using a MacMini re-hosted to Windows 7 into a Teac UD-501 DAC via a Prana USB cable.

Here are some additional twists for the permanently obsessive.... Does the SSD technology standard matter? 2.5 inch, vs MSATA, vs M.2... What about the SSD controller? What about the SSD brand, series, model? All things that potentially we can obsess about.

Admittedly, I am still a dinosaur... I am feeding Aeris SPDIF through the Esoteric X-01 coax output.... I do not believe X-01 SPDIF to be transformer-coupled. I will probably let music server technology steep for a bit yet before I take the plunge... Amongst other things, I need to make sure that the UIs to control the servers are fully interoperable with my non-visual access technology.

G.
erikminer
433 posts
 
Back and forth over this Empirical Audio product ( Ozzy vs S. Nugent) doesn't make me feel warm and fuzzy... This is a perfect example of why manufacturers probably should stay off public forums...
aplhifi
515 posts
 
Hi Guido,

The SSD is indeed superior to HDD, however, a linear 5V power for it is a must, otherwise it sounds somewhat mechanical to my ears, especially noticeable at the upper mids and highs.

The Esoteric X-01 is sure transformer coupled at the S/PDIF output, but since you already have a transformer inside your DAC, this is not that important. The main objective of a pulse transformer at the S/PDIF is ground isolation.
The Esoteric runs on twin R-Core linear supply, so actually a transformer-less digital transmission might be better since the transformers sometimes introduce unwanted artifacts.

Saluti,
Alex
aplhifi
515 posts
 
Hi Matt,

Just finished the DSD-S for you. It is singing nicely. :-)

I will put around 100 hours on it before shipping it to you, but it will require more, of course. However, since most active devices on the signal path are MOSFET, the DSD-S sounds quite nice even when brand new, especially after 30 min warm-up, similar to tube electronics. :-)

Best,
Alex Peychev
APL Hi-Fi
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Thank you for the Esoteric arcana Alex... Did not know that X-01 SPDIF out was transformer coupled... At some point in the future, I might replace X-01 with a music server.

Saluti, G.
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