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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
lloydelee21
1,202 posts
 
Mattnshilp,

I think when Alex speak of "Analog Devices chip", this is the name of the chip manufacturer. Kondo for example uses a chip made by Analog Devices in their DAC 5 Signature and DAC 5th Element...the 1865 chip I think?

Zanden uses the TDA 1514 double crown DAC chip, etc...

More recently, Gryphon Audio Stahl-Tek have used ESS Sabre 9018 chip, etc...

Alex - hope I got that right!
agear
1,362 posts
 
08-07-14: Bigkidz
Contact me and I will build you a DHT DAC that will blow all these away.

Send him your prototype. Ironically, in the world of digital, it is rare for one piece to "blow away" another.
agear
1,362 posts
 
Here is my sincere impression... If you decided to go with either of these top tier DAC's, you would walk away with one of the best out there and enjoy your purchase for years to come. These guys BOTH seriously know what they are doing!!! As a buyer, and a very long time enthusiast, I learned something totally new during my current system built. I used to shy away for these small, "One man show" companies and gravitate towards the big guys. These "One man show" guys usually have 4-7 other people working for them and produce top level gear for fair prices that offer way more performance for the dollar then lost of the big name labels can. It's a simply a matter of overhead and production. For those of you who are on the fence, try a Merrill Audio, Empirical, APL, Lampizator, or the many other speaker and electronic manufacturers out there that can't afford an advertising/marketing camping. You jus tight be happy you did.

That is probably the most important point made in this thread. I have always gravitated towards boutique, artisanal manufacturers. A lot the best, most cutting edge gear can be found there. There are downsides, but if you are a true blue phile in search of the ultimate SQ, its the place to be....
aplhifi-usa
38 posts
 
Matt,

I mean the actual D/A converter chip around which the DAC unit is built.

As I've mentioned before on this thread, the ODSE and Aeris most likely use exactly the same D/A converter chip - the AD1853, except if Steve hasn't gone for the AD1955, but it is still Analog Devices and has their "house sound" to it that helps your system to achieve the synergy you desire, similar to the role of your preamp. :-)

Being well aware of Analog Devices converters sonic character, I already suspected this is the case for your system when you liked the Aeris and ODSE so much, but that is probably the truth for any system that is a "mix and match". :-)

Especially the ODSE running the digital filter of the AD chip at 2X or 4X oversampling instead of the normally specified 8X oversampling for CD quality data, it emphasizes midrange lushness even more, while sacrificing noise floor and distortion figures, of course. But we are not in this hobby for perfect measurements; all we care is a good sound that we like. :-)

Hope this explains it.

Best,
Alex Peychev
APL Hi-Fi
ctsooner's avatar
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
Like so many others I am enjoying this thread for the entertainment value. I won't be purchasing any of these DACS as I recently redid my whole system and decided to go analog again. I'm waiting digital out for a few years while it figures out what the standards will be and how much will be available via high rez. That takes nothing away from what this thread is all about and it's just fun to read.

I think going into this most felt that there would be no one DAC that stands out head over heels over any of them. Most realize it's about room, gear and set up as much as the DAC (again, it's gear, lol). Some of the claims of folks make most laugh or are amusing. This thread has been very civilized which to me is the amazing part. Most of us have no idea about WHY the tech stuff is doing what it's doing. We have some knowledge, but the majority here aren't engineers (yes I'm sure there are many of you who do understand every last tech detail).

There have only been a couple of Trolls (IMHO). I'm heavily involved with an Oklahoma Univ sports board on Yahoo. Been a member since way before Yahoo purchased it over 13 years ago. I share 'inside' info at times and I'm often 'sources told ESPN or FOX....I get hammered by fans and most threads I post on become polarizing because fans don't want to believe things or they are jealous.

In this thread there could be so much snipping because of petty jealousies between posters who can't afford these products or designers who compete for dollars and pride or store owners who sell other products and don't' want THEIR income to suffer.

I just had to put this out there and if anything, it would make me look at a couple of these boutique DACS in the future when I'm ready to take this plunge.

Matt (and the other designers) I loved how you handled the Troll post about 'my DAC is bigger than yours'....Seriously, we will have to get together on my next trip down to Verona. Thanks again for an entertaining thread.
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