Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Matt - I couldn't find confirmed US pricing but the SCD-025 sells for £16,500 in the UK which converts to ~$27,700 US.

Audiolabyrinth,
Grannyring's TRL DUDE or my Coincident Statement are both well south of 10K (much less) and both would be considered premium level performers IMO. Naturally between these two personal taste decides preference. You may not choose either compared to direct source to amplifier. As Grannyring noted, some will lean toward the direct sound, just depends on what presentation you are drawn to . I'd guess that Matt's Criterion preserves musical information and involvement he finds diminished or absent with direct source alternatives.
Charles,

Audiolabyrinth,

How much does it cost to get better sound in a stereo system. $5,000 or $50,0000?
How much does is cost to get a better sounding turntable or dac?

Answer? Well that depends on what you're willing to spend and the sound you are trying to achieve.

This is what all Aphiles must answer for themselves.

I find the mac mini issue interesting, particularly since Matt's source is a Core Audio Modified Mac Mini with a linear power supply and I assume other modifications/optimizations. Since switching to a Mojo optimized mini with a linear PS, outboard HDD and internal SSD the sound of my system does not seem to lack for tonal density or dynamics. I have not heard the Antipodes units that Steve is talking about but if it were a year ago I might have gone that route for the $4K their mid-level unit costs. One benefit of the mini is that you have a lot of choices about which software to use and how you implement memory play, upsampling, eq, etc.

Thanks Charles1dad, It's just like most of all of you, I am kinda tripping on all the money I am spending in this hobby right now, I do not deny your and grannyring's pre-amp is better than most direct to amp set-ups, However, not to get off the subject, buying cables at the level I bought into would be insane!, just one of my interconnects cost $15,950.00 retail, No, I am not that stupid, I paid $7,000.00 used for 1-meter balanced, even at that price, can you imagine the total of tring to keep the same level of performance in cables intact?, man, like I said, Re-morgage the house, who knows, I respect all of you here, I may bite the bullet and take the plunge into an active pre-amp one day, another thing, I only have cds, No need for a pre-amp currently with my set-up, well see charles what I might do in the near future, Happy listening.