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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
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Wisnon, my servet using JRiver MC19, can output in a large number for formats. Presently everything is output as double DSD in native DSD. Perhaps I misspoke as I had used the BMC only in 192/24 PCM coming from my old server.

Since I'm not really certain whether DSD 128 is PCM or native DSD, I will have to check. Perhaps you know.
bill_k
918 posts
 
Tbg - JRiver can output DSD128 as either a direct bitstream in native DSD format, or as DoP (DSD over PCM, which is still true DSD but transmitted in PCM frames.) In the specs for the BMC DAC given above, it doesn't state in which format it supports DSD. Once you find that out you need to setup JRiver accordingly and then the BMC DAC should be able to playback DSD128.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Bill_k, I asked this of the pro guy who makes my music serverUSB PCM: 16...32bit; 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8, 384kHz.

USB DSD: DSD64, DSD128. Is this PCM converted?

He responded, "It is DOP DSD over PCM NOT NATIVE DSD Its the DRIVER is the XMOS driver and XMOS driver that does not support NATIVE DSD."

So, yes it will play DSD128 but this is PCM not native DSD.

I do have the capability, thanks to my dac and JRiver MC19, to play either DSD128 or double native DSD. There is just more detail and sense of realism with the double DSD. Bass is more defined and located. I probably will not use the BMC any longer.
bill_k
918 posts
 
Tbg, you CAN continue to use your BMC DAC to play double DSD! You just need to setup JRiver to output via DoP. Even though it then transmits the DSD data via PCM frames, it still IS the actual DSD that the DAC will then reproduce.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Bill_k, as I said I have compared DOP with native DSD, and the native is better. Into the Sabre chip, the DSD goes through an entirely different part of the chip. I did listen to DOP for a long time and enjoyed it but moving the filters out well beyond anything I can hear or sense, it very beneficial. I have demonstrated what 44.1/16 versus double native DSD sounds like to others. It sounds like a different recording with much better microphones and mix.

All of this aside, I still think the BMC PureDac is exceptional. I know another manufacturer who could afford the very best who says he has it in the PureDac.
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