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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
melbguy1
1,438 posts
 
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.
melbguy1
1,438 posts
 
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!
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
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
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
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.
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
UPDATE:

I am currently burning in the DSD-S with my DVD player via SPDIF and my ODSE via USB from my computer.

I will try, next week, to compare PC's, USB cables and software with the DSD-S as Alex requested. Unfortunately, I don't have the time to get too detailed. But I'm happy to give general feelings and opinions.

Burn in for both will be completed on 9/3 and I will listen that day to compare and highlight both.

BigKidz - If you would like to get me your Uber DHT DAC around that time, I can compare the three. PM me and we can arrange delivery.

I will also touch base with John, my local Aesthetix dealer, to see if the Romulus Signature has arrived and is being burnt in since it sounds like delivery has begun.

If anyone knows of a dealer (or even the distributor) for Lampy who wants to get the Big7 to me for evaluation, I'd be happy to listen. I will not be buying any other DAC's for the sole purpose of audition now that I have invested the money officially into the ODSE. The ODSE would need to be bested for me to sell it and move those funds to another DAC.

FInally, the new Allnic is shipping and is supposedly excellent as well. I will pursue an audition of that as well, if possible.

There are no other DAC's that pique my interest at this time. That's not to say that the Vitus and many others are not equally good. But I'd like to listen to something besides my same playlist! LOL!!!

that s all for now.
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