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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
 
08-10-14: Audiolabyrinth
Congrats are in full order Melbguy1 on your Vitus singnature series SCD-025 you will be getting, I would like for you to do a review of the player on the Tara Labs Thread when you get your final impressions of the player after burn-in, cheers Melbguy1.
Thanks for your generous comments AL. Yes once the Vitus reaches 250hrs I will probably post a review, though in a separate review thread. Best to keep your Tara Labs thread a discussion about their products. The SCD-025 will club my old Ayon CD-5s like a baby seal!
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
I'm sure there will always be new DAC's and more expensive kits to consider. Vitus, Aesthetix, Allnic, Lampy Big7(and then Big8,9......)

This coming Wednesday I will give the DSD-S another listen and listen to my ODSE, cooking for almost a week by then. I'll let you know.

I can say, quite definitively, that I am done trying to listen to a DAC without my preamp. Nothing gives the level of reproduction that I get when the electroncs are fed through my Criterion. I'd love to avoid needing it, but it's not going to happen short term.

The Vitus looks amazing and I'm sure it sounds it as well. Congrats. Feel free to post some thoughts on its sound here as well.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Matt,
Given all the discussion concerning these very latest volume controls and their technical advantages, it's interesting that you still prefer an active preamplifier. I'm not at all surprised by your choice. Ears are wonderful if you trust them.
Charles,
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
charles1dad, Hi, Matt has not listened to the volume control in a Aesthetix Romulas or Pandora signature, and, as far as I know, he has not listened to the volume control in the APL DSD-S player, I do hope he does give some thoughts about listening to the volume control of the APL Dac, Alex deserves some exsposure about his volume control he is raving about, who knows, it may turn out to be a good one, charles, I understand your position with active pre-amps, my interest is with what Matt has to say about alot of these modern day volume controls on todays digital, Happy Listening Charles1dad.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Hi Audiolabyrinth,
Perhaps I misunderstood Matt, but he wrote that he's done listening to DACs "without" his preamp (Criterion). So I assumed he has been listening via the DACs volume control up to this point. By the way if a DAC's VC were to better an active preamplifier I'd be the first to celebrate that achievement, so far, no go in my experience. Premium active preamplifiers are mandatory for me. So I can relate to Matt's desire to use his Criterion. He wants better sound quality.
Charles,
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