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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
wisnon
700 posts
 
NSA= national sales academy??? haha.

Talk to Berto and Gopher and they will let you know what the deal is. No need for high tech surveillance, they will tell you...Seven is the new 6. LoL

The Seven says "bring it on".
joecasey
484 posts
 
07-19-14: Wisnon
I suspect that all the quality tube Dacs/CDPs sound excellent.

A CD player or DAC has both a digital and analog stage. If analog stage is high quality, the unit is competitive when digital gets stale/old.


07-18-14: Agear
A shootout between in the ODSE and Romulus is in order....

My guess your motivation starting "Is computer audio a bust" after Grannyring replaced his ODSE/Lamp for Romulus. You are not comparing apples to apples until Aesthetix makes a Romulus DAC. Valid shootout is between ODSE+Romulus DAC vs Romulus Player. My guess Grannyring prefers Romulus over Lamp and just happens using ODSE.

JWM was NOT using ODSE and he replaced Big 6 with Romulus. So it appears owners are replacing Lamps with Romulus.
joecasey
484 posts
 
The Seven says "bring it on".
How do you know if you're desperate to hear one?
wisnon
700 posts
 
I know how its made and I have many pals who heard one and heard several other Dacs including other Lampis. I also recently heard an anniversary Shandling and a tubed Oppo running through a Big 6.

Big7 and Big6 are completely different animals.

If you are happy with your CDP, more power to you. People like different things and some people are just gear swappers, as that is their thing.
joecasey
484 posts
 
CORRECTION to my previous post:

What I meant to say is, Valid shootout is between Off-Ramp+Romulus DAC vs Romulus Player. Replace all the ODSE with Off-Ramp.
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