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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
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
I agree totally with Aolmrd1241, All this time of following this thread, I thought a transport was being used, Now that I have found out that it is not, this gives me a different perspective on the Imperical ODSE and other Dacs on this thread, as a matter of fact, The APL Dac that matt said sounded a little hard on the treble likly exsposed the use of a inferior cable like usb!!, I understand the Dac may need further burned in, However, All dacs sound incredibly better with a quality Digital cable, and then running quality balanced analog interconnects from the dac to the pre-amp or direct to amplifier!
aplhifi-usa
38 posts
 
To bad,a quality transport would/could add a lot to the mix,at least for us dyed-in-the-wool spinners. Thanks.

This is the reason why the DSD-S has a digital input on the back called DTR.

Using the DTR input with the SDT-M digital transport that reads PCM (converted to DSD128) or native DSD from SD cards, the combo turns to an extremely nice sounding digital front-end that is practically impossible to beat with a computer digital source, at least in my experience.

The DTR input can also be used with a disc spinning CD/SACD transport that has the same capabilities as the SD card one, but it is not yet available for US customers.

Best wishes,
Alex Peychev
APL Hi-Fi
erikminer
433 posts
 
Matt is using a WireWorld Platinum Eclipse USB cable.. It's a good one but not necessarily always the best choice.. there seems to be much variation in USB cables and USB implementations..

And some Dac's don't sound nearly as good through their USB inputs as SPDIF, or vice versa .. The ODSE comes to mind since its an optimized for USB Dac.. So in some ways some of his impressions may not be accurate where the other Dac's are concerned.. In other words the Roland may crush the ODSE on SPDIF were as the ODSE sounds better due to it's USB implementation..

I think a better methodology for his testing might have been to use both a USB "and" a SPDIF source..
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
8,012 posts
 
Even though I have a DAC that I am happy with, I have been following this thread with some interest, and I am also surprised that a transport was not being used at least as an alternative if not primary, since many don't use them any more. What was a little more troubling as far as the validity of the results is the use of a USB cable.
It is still an interesting thread, and thanks to Matt.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
"In other words the Roland may crush the ODSE on SPDIF were as the ODSE sounds better due to it's USB implementation.."

I seriously doubt it. My S/PDIF is one of the best out there. If you drive it with my Off-Ramp 5, it is very close to the internal USB interface. I uses exactly the same path through the USB module. The internal USB interface is a bit better, but you expect that.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
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