Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

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.

In that price range, based on your desire for a musical sounding dac I would vote for the Vitus RD-100. Vitus pushed this Reference series dac such that it sounds better than even the previous SCD-010 cdp in the Signature Series! It uses modular design like the Signature series also, meaning the dac can be easily upgraded in the field as upgraded modules become available in future (as opposed to a whole component upgrade). The RD-100 also has Vitus's relay-based volume control & can be used as a linestage in a simple rig. There are a couple of reviews out which are worth a read. That would be my pick anyway.

07-18-14: Audiolabyrinth
Matt, when you listened to the Romulas at audio-connections, what was your impressions?

Hi Al, I own a 240v (Australian-delivery) Romulus, 2nd owner, low hours in excellent condition which I will be putting up on the 'Gon in 1-2 months. It's a great player that sounds very natural and un-digital. Just an fyi!

Alex is of course in competition with me and throwing disparagements where possible. He knows I'm reading this too.

The theory behind my D/A conversion is to approximate a NOS DAC, with no digital filtering at all because this sounds best, period. You can select the digital filter on my DAC and I recommend the profile for 192 to be used for all sample-rates. This simply sounds best.

As for the house-sound or character of Analog Devices D/A chips, I have found them to be more natural and lifelike than most other chips, including Sabre, AKM and many other favorites by DAC designers these days. I have built prototype boards using many of these to evaluate them, as well as modding many DACs from other manufacturers in the past. Some of the TI/BB chips are also excellent. If I had to pick a new chip for a new DAC, it would be Analog Devices or TI/BB.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

I would ask all involved to make an effort to highlight their own gear's strength's and not point out any other DAC's weaknesses. Specific descriptions of what tech is used and why you think its best are fine. Let's avoid mud slinging though…

All of the gear listed is SO good that the decision is not if they are good enough, but which sounds best with your particular system.