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
matt, you are doing a fine job!, this has been a wonderfull thread to me, a great learning exsperience as well, alot of the brands you have brought to the table were unheard of to me, I'm an ex musician, so do not take this the wrong way, This thread is cool!, Bravo and cheers to matt!, Thankyou for taking YOUR time out of your life to do this thread, you, by no means did not have to share this journey, I will never forget this thread!
Matt, your wife is a problem.....you need to work on that with the same energy and focus as your dac quest.....
matts wife is none of your concern, why do you post such bad opinions here for everyone to see and spoil a great thread!
Hi Audiolabyrinth,

You are welcome!

There are two choices when it comes to the digital transport.

1. SDT-M reading SD memory cards.

2. CD/SACD player re-designed to a digital transport.

Both send DSD audio data to the DSD-S DAC via a proprietary digital connection, and achieve a very similar sound quality.

Of course, you can also dive in the computer audio based digital sources and use the asynchronous USB input of the DSD-S. :-)

Best wishes,
Alex Peychev
APL Hi-Fi
You should view wifey as an integral system component like any other that needs appropriate attention and tweaking like any finicky, esoteric German turntable designed by some physics professor....